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Meet Lizzie!
Lizzie is 26 years old and one of our Liberate Dance students. She has Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus and has been a wheelchair user all her life. Lizzie was one of our very first dance students, joining us when classes first started in September 2019.
“I joined the classes initially because being in a wheelchair can sometimes be very isolating. I wanted to meet people with similar experiences to myself.”
Despite having an amazing support network Lizzie was keen to expand her social circle and in particular, meet other people with disabilities.
“It’s amazing to have met so many people with similar experiences to myself that can relate. I have learnt so much about myself and learnt to embrace my disability. I now see myself as empowered. Liberate Dance has made me realise that my disability is something to be celebrated, not embarrassed about!”
Lizzie attends our Saturday adults class, our Monday online workouts and our Wednesday online class.
“Liberate Dance is my favourite thing to do in a week! I enjoy every minute I spend there. Learning how to dance in my wheelchair has given me so much freedom and allowed me to express myself in a way that I did not think was possible. There is more to it than dancing though; I have met the most amazing people through Liberate that have inspired me and that I am proud to call my friends.”
Lizzie joined our team as a volunteer in 2020 then recently was offered a job as a staff member working on admin, marketing and assisting in our studio classes.
“Liberate Dance has changed so much about how I think of myself. I have always struggled with my anxiety and knowing where I ‘fit in;’ but being part of Liberate Dance has meant that I do not feel like that anymore!”
She has made such incredible progress since first joining us and we are thrilled to bits that Liberate has had a significant impact on her life.
“My confidence soared. My fitness levels have improved massively too! I am now able to get myself back into my chair from the floor and can push myself to do things I couldn’t before.”
We are so proud of Lizzie and now she such an important part of the Liberate family we couldn’t imagine Liberate Dance without her.
“I would like to thank Amanda and Vickie for the opportunities that Liberate Dance has given me. It is my greatest achievement, and I would not be the person I am without it.”