KEARNEY, Neb. — Before Nebraska’s outgoing high school football players took the field for the 67th Shrine Bowl, they gathered to hear stories from patients of Shriners Children’s on Monday.
Shriners Children’s is a nonprofit healthcare system dedicated to improving the lives of children. The event took place at the University of Nebraska at Kearney’s Fine Arts Building, where three patients shared their health journeys with the players and coaches.
Lauren Elm, marketing manager of Shriners Children’s Twin-Cities, said the Shrine Bowl aims to raise funds for the patients.
“At ‘Beyond the Field Day,’ we bring patients in to talk to the players,” Elm said. “This helps them better understand what we do at Shriners Children’s and the mission they are supporting.”
The event included two parts: a patient presentation and an interactive session at Harmon Park in Kearney. Players and coaches took part in activities like using prosthetic arms to pick up Legos and tying their shoes with their non-dominant hand to experience the challenges patients face.
Amelia Nelson, a Shriners patient, explained her condition called congenital scoliosis, where her spine curves because two vertebrae were not properly formed at birth.
“My T11 and T12 weren’t formed correctly,” Amelia said.
Her mother, Jessica Nelson, praised her daughter’s strength. “She’s only nine years old, almost ten, and she doesn’t let her disability hold her back,” she said.
Another patient, Carter Straight, stressed the importance of showing players that children with disabilities can be just like anyone else.
“I can’t really walk right without braces or crutches,” Straight said. “I was born with a cyst on my spine.”
One player, Desmond Dhaenes, shared that his family has a close connection to Shriners. His younger brother is a patient there.
Hearing from patients like Nick Kreikemeier inspired Dhaenes to play harder in the game.
Kreikemeier, born without hands, said, “It’s important to know you can do whatever you want. It’s not just how you look.”
He hopes to be an offensive tackle on the football field and also star in a Shriners Children’s national commercial.
“Never give up,” Kreikemeier said. “Keep chasing your dreams.”
