Lucia, it’s a shame London isn’t seeing much sun these days, unlike Barcelona. Despite missing the sunny days in Barcelona, it’s nice to be back in London. The food might be better in Barcelona, but having a personal chef in London is a luxury. Lucia’s proactive nature is evident as her personal chef prepares everything in advance while she’s away.Lucia opens up about a significant aspect of her life that remained unnoticed for most of her life until four years ago. She discovered she has autism and ADHD, which explained some childhood experiences of being treated differently due to her behavior. Lucia’s mind races constantly, making it challenging for her to sleep. Hyperfocus on football is a prominent trait attributed to her autism, leading her to describe her passion as an obsession.Masking her true self to fit in was a coping mechanism adopted by Lucia, especially during her twenties. Over time, she gradually learned social behaviors like hugging and maintaining eye contact, which were initially uncomfortable for her. While some of her England and Chelsea teammates are aware of her autism and ADHD diagnosis, Lucia’s close circle had already sensed it before she disclosed it.While medication is available for ADHD, Lucia opts not to take it as she believes her unique traits have contributed to her success in football. Embracing her identity fully, Lucia now feels comfortable discussing her journey openly, attributing her newfound confidence to self-acceptance and support from influential figures like Phil Neville and Serena.Lucia’s decision to become an ambassador for the National Autistic Society stems from her desire to raise awareness and eliminate stigma surrounding autism. Drawing from her own childhood experiences of feeling misunderstood, Lucia aims to empower others and ensure no child faces similar challenges. Her courage to share her story is poised to inspire and educa
te many, marking the beginning of a broader initiative that promises positive change.