Briony Mikkell

Those on the autism spectrum seem to thrive when they have a constructive activity or outlet. I know that because as a woman with Asperger’s Syndrome, I can remember what I was like as a child. I grew up loving books and watching Disney movies. I drew, colored, and painted when inspired to do it. I was into the arts. I wanted to experience the world and share what I saw, felt, and learned from those experiences.

As a girl, I wanted to be a ballerina after watching a TV show called Angelina Ballerina. I even had a book titled Dancing in The Wings, and I read it a lot. That’s when my mother signed me up for ballet classes at Mayfair Academy. During that time, it was located at 1025 East Seventy-Ninth Street in Chicago. They are currently located at 8701 South Bennett Avenue in Chicago. The founder of Mayfair was Tommy Sutton. After he retired, his daughter Peggy Sutton took up the mantle and I remember her well. She loved dance, and she had a sense of pride when she saw African American girls like me show interest in dance. It was almost like I was a part of her family. I also remember my instructors and I still remember most of the performances I did at the end of the year showing what I learned.

Dancing was a way to appreciate art, and I got to experience how it inspires people. I remember my very first day attending Mayfair Academy. My instructor was strict, but also patient, kind, and encouraging. As I say this, I laugh because I remember the way she watched me all throughout that day. After the class was over, she pulled me off to the side and said, “I wish I had your legs.” That I remember word for word. What she was saying to me was that I had the tools to become a good ballet dancer and I was holding back, not using all my true potential. After that day, I did my best in each class, even when I didn’t feel like it.

Dance not only opened a door for me to explore my creativity and appreciation for the arts, but also taught me discipline, confidence, assertiveness, and how to listen for beat and rhythm. It also kept me active. Mayfair helped me become the person I am now, and I am grateful for the experience. Whatever you’re interested in, you can find an activity that is related to that interest. If you strengthen that interest, in time it can sometimes turn into a career. We don’t know what we are capable of until we put ourselves out there, asking ourselves what we want. What are we into? Once we answer those questions, we can do anything whether we have autism or not.