MEET THE TEAM: FREYA
We are coming at you with a series of meet the team. Learn the whys, secrets and passions that motivate us!
Hey! My name is Freya… if you get in touch with THE ARMY DC it is probably me on the other end of the phone!
Today I wanted to address a personal topic that I thought might help some of you out there.
Last week I was clinically assessed for autism (Asperger’s syndrome), ADHD, dyspraxia and dyscalculia and as it turns out I actually have all four! I wanted to share a little bit about my story and about me as you would be surprised how many people around you are neurodiverse. I am now a Cambridge graduate with a Masters in Law but it wasn’t always so easy for me…
As a child I often struggled making friends, feeling confident and communicating with others. Once I started to dance everything changed. I had a passion that I could share with others – something to talk about and bond over. Since joining THE ARMY DC (first as a dancer for 5 years, then as a staff member for the past 2 years) it has been life changing. I have made lifelong friends, my confidence has grown to a place where I can dance sober in a club on my own, I am able to connect with others, I have learnt gratitude and self love… the list is endless. I have safe space to be me. THE ARMY DC is so much more than ‘just a dance class’.
Whilst my neurodiversities have their challenges, they are also my superpower. I can be very honest and blunt (but I promise I mean well), I can make mistakes (but I do my best to check, check and check again), I care a lot and love to give hugs (if you ever have had a bad day I’m there), I can be clumsy with my belongings (but I am super organised in every other way) and I am sometimes too busy (but it makes me a hard worker). So I can only apologise if I have ever upset you, made mistakes or seemed harsh to any of you – hopefully this helps you to understand me a little more!
I am not the only neurodiverse member of the team (you may realise why me and Beckie work day-in-day-out at a million miles an hour), and I am not the only one with a story to tell. If you have your own story about how dance has helped you in life we would love to hear about it (just hit reply).
As always, kindness first, judgement last. As a part of our family (and after you leave us) we are always here to talk and we are only a message/email away.
Big love,
Freya x