Watch This 13-Year-Old with a Rare Respiratory Disorder Nail Her Peach Bowl Performance
There wasn’t a dry eye in the Georgia Dome on Saturday after 13-year-old Andi Jones sang “God Bless America” to a cheering crowd of 75,000 football fans.
The teen from Atlanta, Georgia, was diagnosed with ciliary dyskinesia, a rare genetic disorder that causes chronic and sometimes life-threatening respiratory issues. But she doesn’t let her illness define her.
“I’m working hard to stay healthy so that I can keep singing,” Andi tells People. “I’m so grateful for my voice, it is truly a gift from God.”
Courtesy Chick-fil-A
Andi was given the opportunity to perform at the end of the first quarter of Chik-fil-A’s Peach Bowl between Alabama and Washington by Make-A-Wish Georgia—and she practiced for months in preparation for the big event.
“The entire experience has been a dream come true,” she says. “It was bigger and better than I could’ve ever imagined. I had never performed to an audience of 75,000 and to be able to do that, and have the support of so many was incredible.”
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Andi, whose favorite song to sing is “The Voice” by Eimear Quinn, aspires to be a professional performer one day, singing under the stage-name AKJ.
“I’m excited to continue to share my voice with others,” she says. “I hope I can inspire others to believe that if they work hard, anything is possible.”
Courtesy Chick-fil-A
Andi doesn’t know where her voice will take her in the future, but says: “Right now, I would love to be a Broadway singer.”
Fans can follow the teen on social media using the hashtag #Wish4Andi and by visiting georgia.wish.org/Wish4Andi.
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“When I was diagnosed with PCD four years ago, I was scared I was no longer going to be able to sing,” says Andi. “But the good news is that despite PCD being a respiratory illness, I have been able to face it head on and continue to pursue my passion of singing.
“Every day is a blessing.”