Here are our initial goals, in order of priority: Our initial goals include items that would ensure the health and safety of Allison and Johnnie in their home. The following are things that are needed to make it possible for Allison to stay safe at home longer and to make their home safer for her than it currently is. Due to her unique medical condition, she is at high risk for serious complications from COVID-19 and other illnesses and must do everything possible to stay out of the hospital or a group facility.

A power loss of only a few hours would likely necessitate going to the hospital for basic respiratory and feeding tube support. The recent weather emergency across the state of Texas highlighted an issue in the Dickson home - many of her essential medical machines are electric and don’t have battery capabilities. WHY ALLISON AND JOHNNIE NEED OUR HELP NOW Johnnie is now experiencing symptoms of Alzheimer’s and relies on Allison’s support more than ever. Johnnie Dickson, Allison’s mom, has dutifully cared for Allison her entire life. Affectionately nicknamed “Temple’s Sweetheart,” Allison inspires others daily through her positivity, faith, and determination.Īllison has been raising money for years for scholarships for her high school, undergraduate university, and law school, various non-profit projects, programs at the local children’s hospital, and more. Alli is wonderful at asking for help with people’s money or time when it benefits someone ELSE - donations for a non-profit or important cause or time from friends and family to give her mom, Johnnie, a break - but hesitates to ask for anything if it directly benefits Allison herself. Now we have an opportunity to give back to Allison to make it possible for her to do more of the unique good she does for our community.ĭon't know Allison? Check out her website or connect with her on social media on Facebook , Instagram , and Twitter . She was deeply involved in the Junior League of Bell County, serving on the Board of Directors for several years and even being voted in as President-Elect. Since her return to her hometown of Temple following law school, Allison has been an active community volunteer and philanthropist. She was active in Tri Delta at Southwestern and continues to be a mentor for the sorority. Not one to let physical limitations hold her back, she graduated third in her class from Temple High School, summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Southwestern University, and valedictorian of her Baylor Law School class where she was recognized as the 2017 Baylor Young Lawyer of the Year. Diagnosed with Werdnig-Hoffman Muscular Dystrophy when she was 15 months old, she was given only a year to live (she's now in her 40s - don't tell Allison Dickson she can't do something difficult). In fact, you could say it’s been courageous. To the average eye, her journey has been far from easy. Allison Dickson has lived the saying, 'I don’t need easy.

A Concealed Hand by Allison M. Dickson