IJMM, LLC - A NON-PROFIT 501(c)3  ORGANIZATION

Initially, we created the I'M JUST ME MOVEMENT to help raise money for my son with learning disabilities, so that he could attend a post-grad program that would provide him with an extra year of development to prepare him for college. (Not covered by financial aid) It also became a project for me to focus on while I was fighting breast cancer. Being out of work was so hard for me because I had never had been unable to work due to sickness (employed for 22 years in the deli at a local grocery store).  

                                                                                        
 When Rze', (Pronounced R-Zay), was a junior in high school my husband and I knew that after graduation he would need an extra year of development, so his guidance counselor suggested that he attend a post-grad program.  The post grad would allow him to use his accommodations from his special learning plan for students with disabilities (IEP-Individual Education Plan). He has struggled with his learning disabilities since he was six but did always dream of attending college and to play college basketball. Although he would've loved to go to a four-year college straight out of high school, he knew that he needed an extra year of development both academically and physically. I was dedicated to advocating for my son and wanted to do everything that I could to help him be in the best possible situation for success, so I started saving years before graduation.  

The week of graduation my son did something very out of character when he decided that he wasn’t going to hide his secret struggles any longer. He was tired of using just three-word answers when responding to questions because he didn’t want his disability discovered.  He also calculated every sentence because he stuttered a lot. Most people just assumed that he was shy because he was quiet. He now wants people to know that it is okay to be different and that he is not only a local basketball star, but there is more to him, including his disabilities. This is something that he had been trying very hard to hide SINCE HE WAS SIX years old, so I was shocked that he wanted to contact our local television station that had been covering him for the last four years for sports-related coverage and did an interview with them about his disability.  They were surprised too because they had no idea. Many people reached out to him and thanked him for having the courage to share his struggle on TV.

 He wants people to know they shouldn't waste twelve years of their lives, as he did, trying to hide who they are. That it is okay to be different. Before this interview, ONLY family, close friends, school staff and his teammates knew his secret.  Everyone else just thought that he was very quiet, laid back, and a great basketball player. Rze has a big heart and has been involved with several community events.  The one event that he prides himself on the most is a basketball clinic that we held to raise money, it involved him being able to talk with a group of youth at GRAFTON which is a residential  setting(these youth live away from their families to prepare to re-introduce them back with their families after therapy and sometimes medication stabilization)  He spoke about overcoming struggles, especially focusing on those individuals that have emotional and learning disabilities as well.                                                                                                                                                                 

February 27, 2013, my doctor found three cancerous lumps in my left breast.  She told me that I would have to start a series of procedures as well as 15 months of chemotherapy to increase my survival rate.  Over the last few years I’ve had both breasts removed, and complete hysterectomy, 45 treatments of radiation, kidney failure, and blood clots in my lungs, and actually 24 months of chemotherapy!  All of this sounds horrible, but I was able to focus on the fundraiser project that we started for my son’s post-grad helped me feel that I had a purpose.  During my chemo and hospital stays I kept busy by maintaining and managing the I’M JUST MOVEMENT.  We were able to raise $6,000 of the $18,000 needed, and we made monthly payments on the remaining balance. I knew that I couldn’t stop paying for my chemo treatments and possibly die trying to put my son through school, so I was so grateful that my community of Winchester Virginia knew our stories, and supported the fundraiser.

We named the fundraiser the I'M JUST ME MOVEMENT because  Rze felt it was very important for him and others to be proud of who they are. He chose to do a t-shirt fundraiser so that everyone could also display Self Pride.  My son’s speech therapist, at six, told him to always "BE YOURSELF" so since the whole "Keep Calm” thing was trending, he wanted to do a t-shirt fundraiser with his message, KEEP CALM AND BE YOURSELF.  500 People in Winchester Virginia are showing off their shirts that they received for a $12 donation. (Rze's basketball jersey was number 12 at the time) Almost 1,000 people are spreading the message with their shirts Nationwide! We also organized car washes as well to raise money.  We often smile, as we are reminded that the “Movement” is still ongoing when we randomly see people wearing their shirts. 

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Rze did get to college with a scholarship to play basketball. His first two years at Garrett college. Where he played for the  Hall of Fame  Junior College Coach Dennie Gibson. Rze did earn his Associate Degree and got a scholarship to play for Upike University in KY. Rze won Character Award for the Mid South Conference. He was the first in Upike History to win the award. Rze finish up his senior in basketball and was offered to play soccer for Upike. Rze started every game and scored some goals before getting injured and having to sit out the season.  Rze will graduate this  May 2019 with a Bachelor degree Sports management