From Patient to Advocate: Alison G.’s Full-Circle Journey

For Alison G., of South Abington Township, the sidelines were never just a place to watch - they were where a lifelong passion began.

Growing up in a sports-loving family, Alison spent her early years cheering on her siblings. While she couldn’t always participate, she developed a deep connection to the game - one that would shape her future.

A Diagnosis That Shaped Her Path

Born nine weeks premature, Alison was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at two and a half. The condition impacted her mobility and energy, shaping much of her childhood.

During those early years, Allied Services became a critical part of her story. As a pediatric patient at the John P. Moses, Esq. Pediatric Rehabilitation Center in Scranton, Alison received therapies that helped her build strength, independence, and confidence - tools she would carry with her for life.

A Turning Point

Just after middle school graduation, Alison faced one of the most defining moments of her life: a complex orthopedic surgery followed by six weeks of inpatient rehabilitation.

During that time, she had to re-learn how to walk - and how to navigate life in a completely new way.

“As I re-learned how to do everything on my own, I kind of learned a lot about myself and grew mentally and emotionally from that.”

That experience didn’t just help her recover - it helped her embrace her identity.

Finding Her Voice

Through all of her hurdles, Alison’s love for sports never faded - in fact, it grew stronger. By her sophomore year of high school, she had set her sights on Syracuse University’s sport analytics program, combining her passion for athletics with a sharp analytical mind.

At the same time, another passion began to take shape: advocacy.

In a TED Talk-style classroom presentation, Alison shared her personal story - an experience that was both intimidating and transformative.

“It was humbling and fulfilling. A classmate told me it gave him the courage to tell his own personal story.”

That moment sparked something deeper - a commitment to using her voice to empower others.

Thriving at Syracuse

Years later, at Syracuse University, Alison fully embraced both leadership and service. She became deeply involved with the Disability Cultural Center (DCC), where she found both community and purpose.

Through her work, she:

• Advocated for increased funding for disabled students at the New York State Capitol
• Spoke at Syracuse’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) symposium
• Helped elevate the voices and experiences of students with disabilities

Her leadership and academic excellence earned her some of the university’s highest honors. Alison was named a Falk Scholar, selected as Student Marshal for Falk College, and recognized as a University Scholar - Syracuse’s highest undergraduate distinction.

Yet one of her most meaningful contributions came from noticing something others overlooked.

Creating Change - One Step at a Time

While preparing to participate in a campus ceremony, Alison encountered a barrier: stage steps without railings.

For many, it was a minor detail. For Alison, it was a real obstacle.

Encouraged by a mentor, she spoke up - writing to university leadership about the need for accessibility. By graduation, railings and ramps had been installed at ceremony stages across campus.

“To know that I made that impact campus-wide meant a lot - even though it was hard in the moment.”

Honoring the Past, Leading Forward

Among her many accomplishments at Syracuse University, Alison considers being named a Remembrance Scholar her greatest honor. The distinction recognizes students who demonstrate exceptional leadership, service, and academic excellence.

Those selected are awarded a scholarship and are charged with helping to educate the campus community about the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland in 1988, killing 270, including Syracuse University students studying abroad. Scholars are expected to undertake meaningful service and promote initiatives to combat hatred and extremism.

The program’s motto - Look Back, Act Forward - resonated with Alison as a disabled woman advocating for a better future for those facing similar experiences.

Living the Dream in Major League Baseball

After graduating college in May 2024, Alison took a major step into the professional world - earning an internship with the Detroit Tigers as a Baseball Analytics Associate.

For someone who once watched from the sidelines, it was a dream realized.

“It was a dream come true - being able to contribute to a major league club was just amazing.”

She worked in the front office solving data-driven problems to improve team performance and even expanded her role into performance science, operating advanced tracking systems for minor league affiliates.

In a field where representation is still limited, Alison continues to break barriers, pushing the limits of what’s possible and paving the way for future generations to see themselves reflected in spaces once out of reach.

A Full-Circle Moment at Allied Services

As Alison looks toward the next step in her career, her journey has brought her back to where it all began.

She is now volunteering at the brand-new Ronald McDonald House Family Room inside the John P. Moses, Esq. Pediatric Rehabilitation Center in Scranton - the very place where she once received care as a child.

During a recent visit, she reunited with her former physical therapist, Janine Kane.

“Janine’s face just lit up when she saw me. It was a great feeling to return.”

For Alison, giving back to Allied Services is more than volunteering - it’s a full-circle moment rooted in gratitude.

“To come back and be able to give back to the community that gave me so much is a wonderful feeling.”

Looking Ahead

The future is wide open for Alison.

As a young woman building her career in sports analytics, her commitment to advocacy remains unwavering. She understands the challenges - physical, societal, and professional - but meets them with determination shaped by years of resilience.

For Alison, success isn’t just about breaking barriers - it’s about making sure others can follow.