Hey! Ally J here,
This is my story. I hope no matter what you may be dealing with or have gone through, that you will take the time to read my story and that it will encourage you in some way.
No Turning Back!
Wow, it’s amazing seeing how far God has brought me in my journey medically, spiritually, and mentally. I never imagined I’d be working at a radio station, pursuing voice over work, starting a band, and building a website?? Well, that last one, not so much. Lol. My life is not near perfect, and I still make mistakes sometimes. But through all the ups and downs, God has been faithful and granted me to be able to do the things He has gifted me in. Sometimes those thoughts of my past health issues or fear of future things and the feeling of inadequacy creep in. But God is always there to remind me that He is with me and wants to lift me up out of those low places.
Life Verses
Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Where it all began!
My passion for music is something that God gave me from a very early age. Beginning piano at 5 years old, singing in church from an early age, learning trumpet as a teenager while also picking up a guitar and began learning basic chords. After some time, I then picked up a mandolin and bass and started learning them as well.
I wrote my first song when I was in my early teens. Things just kept moving forward from there.
My Childhood
When I was born, my parents had no idea how their lives would change. I was born with Spina Bifida, club foot, and a birth defect called Cloacal Exstrophy. I was born at the local hospital, but because of the complications, they sent me to the bigger hospital in the area.
Because of their limited knowledge at the time for my condition, they LifeFlighted me to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The doctors said I may not survive. After surgery, the doctors essentially put me back together and by what I believe to be the grace of God, I survived. I wear leg braces to help me walk. I have been having follow-up appointments at CHOP with the Spina-Bifida program, Urology, Orthopedics, as well as other specialists my whole life.
Throughout my life I have had to deal with multiple medical difficulties. As a young child, I had to have surgery to straighten my feet due to the Club Foot. Also as a result from my the Club foot, I have had to have a few other surgeries on my right foot in more recent years. One thing that is common in Spina Bifida patients are kidney stones. I had to have surgeries to have them removed on a few occasions as a child and even now as an adult.
When I was 9, something very unexpected happened. To give a brief summary; I got very sick and spent 2 weeks in the local hospital. After they could not figure out what was wrong, they sent me to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. I became so sick that I almost did not make it, even spending a period of time on a breathing device. With people from all over the country praying for me and with the knowledge and skill of the doctors, they got things under control. After running multiple tests and not finding anything, I would seem to get better, so then I could go home. I returned to the hospital on multiple occasions from February 1999 through February 2000, spending what my mom says added up to roughly 7 months in the hospital. At the beginning of 2000, the cause of my sickness was discovered. After a long and complex surgery, the problem was fixed and have been healthy ever since.
I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior when I was a young child. He is the reason I do what I do and want to share my story and the grace, healing, and love that God shows to be each and every day.
Adult Years
Throughout my early to mid 20’s, I spent a good amount of time in and out of the hospital. Within that time, I had the privilege of working with two music therapists from The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. My passion for music continued to grow even more. I began writing more music and recording with the music therapists for something to do while a patient. We created two songs together from lyrics that I had written in my free time, and we worked together on the music. It had really inspired me to continue writing music.
After some major medical breakthroughs in my life as a young adult, I finally began to feel as though I could move forward in my life and really pursue the things God had gifted me in. I had a strong interest and desire to pursue a career in media and music. How that would turn out, I had no idea.
God granted my wish to return to college where I attended Temple University for 3 1/2 years. With a year put in at Lancaster Bible College when I was 19, it allowed me to finish a semester early. I graduated with a Bachelor of the Arts degree after studying Media Studies and Production with a focus in Audio and Music Production.
Right out of college I began working at a local Christian radio station in Central PA. Not sure what direction God will take me next, but living here and now, not in the past, and allowing God to direct my steps are my desire.
The Ally J Band 