Who Is Ally

Ally is the daughter of Joe and Nikki Ellis residing in Lincoln, CA. She was a beautiful little four year old girl. Due to complications at birth, she suffered major brain damage, and was diagnosed with severe cerebral palsy. She was not supposed to survive her first night. When she was finally released from the hospital one month later, her parents were told that she would be a “vegetable,” and would not survive a year.

Thanks to loving parents, and lots of therapy, she made great strides in her first two years, surpassing all of the doctor’s expectations. Although she still had many disabilities and health challenges, she was doing great. She had a smile and a personality that would melt your heart the second you saw her.

When she turned two, she began to receive horseback riding therapy at Ride to Walk. The improvements in her development, both physically and socially, improved exponentially. She loved to go every Friday morning, and made many new friends of the other riders, the wonderful staff, and the great volunteers.

On September 1st of 2009, Ally was unable to continue attending Ride To Walk. Due to the State Budget cuts, Ride To Walk lost their funding from ALTA Regional Center. As a result of financial constraints, Ally, like many other children, were no longer able to attend the therapy that they loved, and needed, so very much.

Two weeks after Ally became a big sister, she was diagnosed with a severe heart condition. Although no one knew how long she had to live, Ally passed away just two months later, on December 7th, 2009. In her four and a half short years on earth, she touched so many people. To keep her memory alive, and to help other riders to continue to receive therapy from Ride to Walk, a scholarship has been set up in Ally’s name.

Ally’s 5K Run was organized to raise money for the scholarship which will fund other children so they can receive horseback therapy in the future. We are hoping that this will become a annual event, which raises both money for the scholarship, and awareness about the wonderful work that is done at Ride to Walk everyday.

Please click on the above links for more details and thanks for helping.