Softball Supports Muscle Movement Foundation During StrongWoman Week

Earlier this month the JMU softball team had the privilege of meeting with and hearing from Rob DeMasi, founder of the Muscle Movement Foundation (MMF). MMF is an IRS-registered 501©(3) organization whose mission is to "provide life-changing physical, financial and emotional accommodations to families affected by neuromuscular disease." During his time with the team, DeMasi shared the foundation's message. The softball team participated in its annual StrongWoman week while joining MMF to raise money for the cause.

Christian Carter, director of strength & conditioning for olympic sports, is a large reason behind JMU softball's partnership with MMF. Carter's involvement and support with MMF came when he learned that one of his first mentors, Mike Powell, had been diagnosed with Polymyositis, a muscle disease that involves inflamed muscles or tissues. "I wanted to find some way to support him and other individuals and families afflicted by muscle disease, and I thought using our StrongWoman testing week at the end of the fall semester was a great way to get involved, to use our healthy muscles and test our abilities for those that can't," Carter said.

This was the team's second year partnering with MMF, building off the successes of the previous year, as friends and family members of the softball team donated thousands of dollars. The money raised has helped support the "Muscle Champions" and their families with, "hospital bills, power wheelchairs, wheelchair ramps, wheelchair accessible vans, and other direct impacts on autonomy and quality of life," something Carter says is, "really rewarding to be a part of."

During StrongWoman week, individuals could pledge a certain amount of money for every pound an athlete lifted or they had the option to donate one set amount. The team raised $4,470 during this year's week, bringing the total between both years to over $7,500. However, donations can be made at any time, at https://my.musclemovementfoundation.org/give/200119/#!/donation/checkout. MMF's motto is, "Bringing a team effort to the fight against muscle disease," as DeMasi, who was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, is grateful for the team that supported him.

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The softball team fully supports this motto and MMF as freshman Kelsey Brown stated, "As athletes, we depend on our healthy muscles to help us play a sport we love. We feel it takes a team effort to raise awareness and support to help the brave individuals and their families who are affected by muscle disorders. We are inspired by their courage as they fight muscle movement diseases and this is why we are supporting the MMF."

Sophomore Michelle Sullivan added, "There are people out there who aren't able to easily get up everyday and do the things that we can do such as lift and practice. Being able to give back to the families that are affected is the goal because we believe everyone should be able to experience a life full of activity, so any way that we can help is a step forward in the right direction."

The JMU softball team, coaches and staff are making quite a difference being a part of a team that supports and raises awareness for those fighting against muscle diseases. It is Carter's hope to eventually have the rest of the JMU athletic programs join the team in the fight against muscle disease.

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