I took group lessons at a rink near my home. We first had to learn how to stand up on the ice wearing skates. Eventually we learned to move forward, but soon found out that it was not that easy to stop! So that was our next important lesson.

I get to see the different sides of skating now which involves not only competing, but entertainment.

My dad worked several jobs to pay for my expense in skating.

My life has been a whirlwind since the '94 Olympics.

My parents never pressured me to skate. They always said I could quit if I wanted to. They only expected me to skate when they had already paid for the expensive lessons. But, otherwise they said I could do what I wanted to do.

I won my first medal when I was nine years old. It was at the Boston Open.

And I love what I do and I love skating.