I’m Mary Jo Ryan, sharing a little glimpse into my life with you. My childhood in the town of New Hartford, Upstate NY, was characterized by resilience and grit. I was born alongside my twin sister, Mary Alice; our journey began with a bit of unexpected humor – the doctor delivering us surprised my mom with the news of having twins just moments before my arrival!

We faced a rocky start, entering the world as preemies, weighing only 3 lbs each. Sadly, Mary Alice’s lungs weren’t ready for the world, and she passed away shortly after birth. It was a tough time, but I fought through my own struggles, spending months in the hospital before I was strong enough to go home.

Growing up with two older brothers in a household with two alcoholic parents wasn’t easy, but it taught me stability and independence from a young age. My childhood was filled with love and laughter despite financial struggles that meant relying on community support during the holidays.

I’ve always been a tomboy because of my brothers’ influence who taught me everything from sports to standing up for myself. Now, through my book “Not Your Average Jo: A True Story of Survival,” I am sharing my journey with my book to inspire others to find strength in their struggles.