Keep Calm and Fight Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

I have heard J.T. referred to as John far too much the past few weeks. John is my great-grandfather's name, my grandfather's name, my uncle's name, and my brother's name. But, J.T. doesn't go by John. Typically we correct people on his name, but it's hard for doctors with all their patients, to call someone by their nickname. After a week of them being around at Primary Children's Hospital, they soon all called him J.T. 

J.T. has been my rock, although he may not know this, because I've never told him (that I can remember). He is the reason I am the person that I am. Granted, those that helped raise me, my friends, my past, and present experiences, etc. have a lot to do with why I am the way I am, HE is the biggest reason. I am a Social Worker because of him, I am a Program Director working with people with disabilities because of him. I am wanting to do Special Education because of him. EVEN though he wants nothing to do with the SPED. he is my reason. 

God sends us special people. I have seen him change people, just by them knowing of him. He is an inspiration to all the lives he has touched. J.T. is the reason so many of us in the family have patience (HEY! Imagine the patience some of the adults had before he came along ;)). It is the reason so many of us in the family have a deeper relationship with God, and Jesus Christ. It is the reason so many of us have a deeper love for football. It is the reason so many of us have more grey hair. It is the reason so many of us have more migraines. Okay, back on track. What I am trying to say is that we ALL love J.T.!!!

At this point, I find it my duty as his big (not that way!) and oldest (not that old!) sister to help him with one of his last wishes. He wants our mother to be able to be home with him. No one can fill a mother's spot, no one. He wants her there, and I want to make that as possible as I can. She has run out of PTO (paid time off) and has no sick/vacation time as she has not been with her company long enough. 

If you would read the following, and help donate, even a dollar or two! Everything helps. Rent, bills, car payments, any of the odds and ends that J.T. may want or need, etc. It is helping out my baby brother, and my mother. They are my loves, my faves, and my family. I want them to both be able to have this time together. If you're unable to donate, pass this on to a friend, maybe they can, or they know someone who can donate! MUCH LOVE to everyone who has been apart of this entire process. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you :) 

J.T. is a sixteen year old young man. He is currently in extreme Congenital Heart Failure, because of his Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. He is a lover of the University of Utah football team, and his favorite player is Dres Anderson. He loves all of the guys on the team, and all of the coaches. If you have any questions concerning football, he is your guy. He has been blessed to have met some of the players, and the head coach, Kyle Whittingham. At this time we are asking for assistance in bringing together some funds so that his mother may be at his bedside, as it is one of his last wishes. J.T. is amazing, and we love him more than words can even attempt to say.

Also please be praying. PLEASE, PLEASE try and help. Thank you. You can donate at Wells Fargo under JT Nimmo or herehttp://www.gofundme.com/4yypgk" 

WHO I GREW UP WITH

My brother, J.T. has DMD (Duchene Muscular Dystrophy). He turns 16 on 07/22/2013, though we celebrated his birthday this evening. This was a little kid, whom is now a young man ... a young man that is maturing at a rapid rate. We get in these little petty arguments on Facebook, and I find humor in them. I do this to feel normal, normal with my only brother I grew up with. His wheelchair has never really affected me. I have always seen him as my brother, that is it. The wheelchair is just apart of him. In the past, when I was 18 and younger I would complain about helping him. Now that I am older I don't complain, and I usually jump to helping him, if possible if I am available. I know that he won't be here forever. I know that none of us will be here forever. Now that he is 16, I want to make our relationship even better. By doing that I would tease him less, and I would harp on him less, etc. The only problem with this is I know that it would make our relationship feel less normal. He has less time on this earth than your typical person, and I'm not sad about that. REALLY, I'm not. I just don't want to treat him any different because of this fact. 

Bro, maybe now you get it ... maybe now you understand. I have never wanted you to not have an opinion, in fact I want your opinion to grown and mature. I want to remember your opinion on things, and when you're gone (and God forbid that comes too soon) I want to know what you would do. I want to do the things which you would do. I know you're smart. I know you're kind. AND I know you're loving. I want to keep a part of you in my heart forever, and for always. So, next time I give you a hard time, give me just as hard of a time. That's what I want. I love you. Forever. Foralways. xo