KEARNEY, Neb. (KSNB) – Before Nebraska’s outgoing high school football players take the field for the

67th Shrine Bowl

, they listened to patients of Shriners Children’s on Monday.


Shriners Children’s

, a non-profit healthcare system, has one goal: to change and improve lives.

The event was held at the University of Nebraska at Kearney’s Fine Arts Building. Three patients of Shriners Children’s educated players and coaches about their health journeys.

Lauren Elm, marketing manager of Shriners Children’s Twin-Cities, said the goal of the Shrine Bowl is raise funds for patients.

“What we do here at ‘Beyond the Field Day’ is we bring patients in to talk to the players,” said Elm “They can get a better understanding for what we do at Shriners Children’s and really the mission that they’re raising money for.“

Monday’s event featured two-parts with a patient presentation and a player/patient interactive at Harmon Park in Kearney, Elm said.

“Players and coaches engage in interactive games,” Elm said. “Such as using prosthetic arms to pick-up Legos, and using their non-dominant hand to to tie their shoes.”

Amelia Nelson, a patient of Shriners Children’s, explained her condition is where the spine curves due to abnormalities in the vertebrae present at birth.

“I have congenital scoliosis,” Amelia said. “My T11 and T12 weren’t formed correctly.“

All the interactive games were designed to help players understand the challenges patients of Shriners face.

“It’s amazing to see her, she’s only nine years old – almost ten,” Jessica Nelson, Amelia’s mother said. “You know she’s just grown, even though she has this disability – she doesn’t let it hold her back.“

Carter Straight, patient, said it’s important to show the players how children can like other people who might have disabilities.

“I can’t really walk right without braces or crutches,” Straight said. “I was born with cyst of my spine.”

Though the interactive event educates players on what Shriners Children purpose, one player said it was a full circle moment for him.

“Me and my family been very close to Shriners my whole life,” Desmond Dhaenes, cornerback of the Nebraska Shrine Bowl North team. “I have a younger brother who is a patient with them.“

Dhaenes said hearing stories from patients such as

Nick Kreikemeier

really pushed him to play even harder in the Shrine Bowl.

“It’s always important to know you can do whatever you want, it’s not just how you look,” Kreikemeier said.

Born without hands won’t stop Kreikemeier from being who he wants to be – whether that be an offensive tackle on the football field or starring in Shriners Children’s

national commercial

.

“Never give up,” Kreikemeier said. “Keep chasing your dreams.”

The Shrine Bowl will kick-off at 4 p.m. Saturday in Kearney



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