Thank you so much g_bharucha!! Your answer was really helpful and I
will definitely be able to use it as a guideline for my report.
Very interesting information on her family...Thanks :)

Sargum

--- In michellekwanfanatics@yahoogroups.com, g_bharucha
<no_reply@y...> wrote:
> I do not think her mom knows how to skate. Michelle began to skate
> when she was five years old after watching her brother Ron play
ice
> hockey. Her sister Karen also skated competitively up to 1996, so
she
> and Michelle trained together til then. Michelle's mother Estella
has
> always supported her, but she is more behind the scenes and
quieter.
> (Her dad Danny is the vocal one, and he was with her by the boards
at
> competitions during the 2001-2002 season.) I also remember
Michelle
> saying that her mom doesn't really know anything about figure
skating
> (like jumps, spins, etc.), but she does come to watch her at
> competitions. So, basically, she supports her daughter's love for
the
> sport, and she has probably influenced how she handles herself in
> public (graciousness, ability to overcome disappointments).
>
> In an old interview for DisneyBooks.com, Michelle answered this
> question, which might also help you:
>
> Who are some of your role models ouside of skating?
>
> Michelle Kwan: My biggest role models have always been my parents.
> They've always been there for me and for my family and for each
> other. I've never known two people who worked harder, but they've
> never made their hard work seem, well, hard. The reason is that
they
> do it out of love. My parents are honest with me and keep me
focused
> on the things that really count. To them it's more important that
I'm
> enjoying my skating than that I'm winning my competitions. They
> taught me how to have respect, discipline, and loyalty. They were
> also the ones who first told me "Work hard, be yourself, and have
> fun." I still think that's some of the best advice I've ever
gotten.
>
>
>
> --- In michellekwanfanatics@yahoogroups.com, "sargum_manley"
> <sargum_manley@y...> wrote:
> > Does anyone know whether Michelle Kwan's mom knows how to ice
> > skate? Is there a way to ask Michelle directly? I am wondering
if
> > it was her mom who inspired her to ice skate or not...Doing a
> report
> > on mom's and what type of role models they are for their
daughters.
> >
> > Thanks.
> > Sargum