RJ

My name is R.J. Kilcher and I am super excited about being a Jay’s Junior and I still cannot believe that I was picked.

I am 11 years old, in the sixth grade and I Homeschool. I have Cerebral Palsy and some other stuff. Cerebral Palsy does not define me…it is part of me. I don’t think normal exists and I like that all people are different. I like to play with my friends, listen to and play music & help other people.

I love giving Crocs shoes to kids like me who wear AFO’s (Ankle & Foot Orthosis or leg braces) or who are in need. Crocs are the only shoes I can put on by myself with my braces. It’s awesome to be able to give Crocs to other kids in Metro Detroit! There are so many great kids & parents in need & life can be tough. I just want to make life a little easier for others. Starting a Non-Profit is tough but I am determined to do it! My missions are:

1. To help kids find something they are passionate about and help them to make a difference in there community!

2. To provide kids with challenges tools to lead a more independent life.

I try to help people when they are sick, especially when they have cancer or other big problems. I like to give food or money to people who are in need. I can’t imagine not having a house or food and I don’t think anyone should have to worry about that.

I love monster trucks, cars, Minecraft, YouTube & making videos with my friends. When I was 5 I got to watch the team of Shell-Camino drive and load up their Monster Truck at the end of the Woodward Cruise weekend, it was awesome! They gave me their sponsor K & N flag and signed it. I have taken the flag every year since to Monster Jam at Ford Field to have other drivers sign it too. When I was 9 I received my diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy and I was having a lot of problems. My mom arranged for me to see Shell-Camino again in Westland for my birthday and Ron from Shell-Camino gave my mom, dad & I a couple private rides, a shirt and a signed picture that I have framed in my room. It was awesome!

I also love kayaking, boat rides and trains. I have visited train museums & ridden the 1225 Polar Express in Owosso, MI. I have enjoyed trains for as long as I can remember.

I like to play tennis and to swim. Tennis can be tough because of my legs but it is getting easer & Coach Bill is AWESOME! I hope I can get back to tennis soon. I like to watch the Red Wings and I love to drive Go-carts at CJ Barrymore’s.

My favorite hobby is music. I am in the Detroit Children’s Choir Concert Chorale (Traveling Choir), Trinity Lutheran Clinton Twp. Honors Choir, the Macomb Children’s Senior Choir and I have been playing the piano for 3 going on 4 years.

My favorite Disney show is Austin & Ally.

My favorite old shows & movies are: CARS, Dukes of Hazard, Fast & Furious, Transformers & Polar Express. My favorite cars are: 69 Charger, 71 Challenger, 2015 Dodge Viper ACR, Charger/Challenger Hellcat & the Bugatti Veyron.

My favorite song is by Wiz Khalifa & Charlie Puth “See You Again” from the Fast & Furious. It reminds me of my Papa who LOVED and built racecars. My Papa went to heaven last year after trying to beat cancer for 5 years. PLUS I LOVE THE PIANO PART. I sing this song with my friends at the Detroit Children’s Choir. My piano teacher is going to start teaching me how to play it on the piano. I hope I can play it for my recital this year and maybe even on the stage at the DSO. That would be AMAZING!

My first concert was Journey & Steve Miller. I told my mom for my 10th birthday that I wanted to go and she told me if I learned one of their songs on the piano she would take me. So… I learned how to play “Don’t Stop Believing” on the Piano and mom & dad took me. It was just so amazing. My mom calls this my theme song and I do play the intro a lot!

I want to drive a Monster Truck when I get older. My favorite color is Orange and I LOVE Orange cars.

My favorite foods are: cheese & crackers, cucumber, apples, milk, pears, grilled cheese, berries, chicken nuggets, and carrots. My favorite treats are cake, candy, brownies, butter cookies, ice cream and mozzarella cheese sticks.

I want to travel all over and see new things. I hope one day that I will be able to travel and help people through my Non-profit too.