Blue Springs’ most faithful fan has a loyalty that can’t be confined
By SAM McDOWELLThe Kansas City Star
Jeremy Wynne is covered in purple. Blue Springs Wildcats purple.
For a 26-year-old man who gets around in a wheelchair because of his muscles’ inability to relax, nothing could feel more comfortable, free and loose.
He wears a Blue Springs baseball cap, along with a custom-made jersey reading “Wynne” across the nameplate, and a giant No. 1 down his back. The piece that brings the outfit together — a pair of purple sunglasses — is difficult to miss, even if it’s after sundown by kickoff.
The wardrobe would be meaningless if not for the setting in which he wears it.
Every Friday night during high school football season, you can find Wynne on his alma mater’s sideline. Rain or shine, bitterly cold or scorching hot, he hasn’t missed a game in the five years since he graduated from Blue Springs in 2007.
This, by all accounts, is his personal heaven.
“That’s what he lives for,” said Steve Wynne, Jeremy’s father. “He’s interested in all sports, but his heart is with the Blue Springs Wildcats.”
Jeremy was once defined by dystonia, a neurological movement disorder that prohibits muscle relaxation. He’s battled the affliction for 19 years.
Now, he’s better known as the Wildcats’ 12th man — and the name behind an annual football scholarship.
“He’s living vicariously through us,” said Wildcats’ senior quarterback Wylson Lamb. “We’re happy to bring him along for the ride.”
Before opening kickoffs, Blue Springs players unstrap their helmets and raise them in the air with one arm.
Jeremy imitates them from his nearby spot on the sideline, removing his baseball cap and holding it against a darkening sky.
He smiles for big plays, throws both arms up to signal Wildcats touchdowns and even argues with referees. So goes the routine of the 12th man.
“One of my favorite parts of watching (game) film is seeing Jeremy’s excitement for big plays,” Blue Springs coach Kelly Donohoe said.
To open each season, Donohoe gathers his team — and Jeremy — in the locker room before the week one kickoff. He doesn’t talk about game plans, strategy or Xs and Os.
He talks about Jeremy.
For the past 11 years, Jeremy has roamed the Blue Springs sideline as his father pushes him in his wheelchair to help him follow the line of scrimmage. They move into prime locations to celebrate touchdowns, and players flock to Jeremy after scoring.
When they do, Jeremy extends his fist. The players bump his hand in return.
“The players make him feel like he’s a part of the team,” said Jeremy’s mom, Terri. “They really made his high school memories wonderful, and they continue to make him feel wonderful.”
Throughout his senior year in 2006-07, Jeremy talked about walking at graduation to receive his diploma.
Since being diagnosed with dystonia at age 9 — two years after he began experiencing its symptoms — he has required the aid of a wheelchair in public settings. His muscles are constantly flexed rather than relaxed, which can cause him pain. Excitement and anxiety, among other things, trigger dystonia’s harshest symptoms.
“We believed in him and knew he could do it,” Terri said. “But walking across the stage in front of a lot of people — it was a lot to ask.”
A decade ago, Jeremy had surgery to ease his pain — it did, but it also hindered his ability to speak clearly. He walks occasionally, mostly around his house with a walker, and takes 27 pills every day.
Beyond that, every 12 to 18 months, he must return to the University of Kansas Hospital and have surgeries to recharge the batteries in his chest, which connect wires to his brain.
Coupled with the dystonia, Jeremy has a learning disability. He graduated from Blue Springs in 2007 after spending five years in its special education department.
He now attends Developing Potential Inc., essentially a school for special-needs adults.
During his high school graduation ceremony, Jeremy stood up from his wheelchair. Using assistant football coach Marc Hines as a crutch, he walked across the stage and grabbed his diploma.
The football team stood and clapped. The rest of the student body followed its lead.
“That was emotional, even for us, to watch,” Terri said.
After Jeremy graduated, the Wynnes established an $1,000 scholarship, using money they previously planned to devote to Jeremy’s college education. They personally select a player that best reflects Jeremy in inspiration, perseverance and community involvement.
The players often look to him, too, for motivation. A year ago, when his battery life dipped low in November 2011, nurses recommended it was time for the next surgery.
Jeremy rejected the idea.
“No way,” Jeremy said. “It’s football season.”
As a youngster in Southern California, Jeremy loved playing sports. He was drawn to baseball at an early age, though he dabbled in basketball and gymnastics, as well.
Mostly, though, at least according to his parents, he was a fan. And nothing has changed.
Shelves in Jeremy’s room are filled with bobbleheads, athlete figurines and sports memorabilia. The wallpaper above his bed has a photo of a baseball swing.
A pair of basketball hoops hang from the closet door. Jeremy shoots from his knees.
That diagnosis 17 years ago ended Jeremy’s playing career. The Wildcats offered him a way to continue his fandom.
Jeremy started attending Blue Springs in 2002. After a few weeks of school, he came home and excitedly shared stories with his parents.
“A Wildcat opened the door for me today,” he would say.
As the days wore on, the stories became more frequent and more unique. His excitement, though, never changed.
“We thought for sure he was embellishing a little bit,” Steve said. “It was almost to the point that I felt like I needed to have a reality talk with him.”
Several weeks into the 2002 football season, Donohoe began eating lunch with Jeremy every day. He soon requested Jeremy return the favor and sit on the sideline during games.
“I needed one more assistant coach,” Donohoe said.
The Wynnes actually live in Blue Springs South territory, where the Blue Springs Wildcats are an enemy, not an ally.
Jeremy practically shares a backyard with Connor Harris, who played the role of Mr. Everything during Blue Springs South’s 2011 state-championship football season.
After games on Friday nights last season, Harris hung his jersey from the back porch, playfully flaunting it for Jeremy to see. Jeremy responded by wearing his Wildcats’ gear every day as he rode his motorized scooter around the block.
Harris has since moved on to play football at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo.
Jeremy may have left Blue Springs High School five years ago, but he still wears Wildcats purple every day — especially on Fridays, even while his DPI classmates wear red to participate in the Chiefs’ Red Fridays.
As part of his speech therapy, Jeremy is the weekly sports announcer for DPI. He broadcasts sports news on the intercom on Monday mornings.
He leads with reports about the Blue Springs football team.
“I’m not sure who Jeremy would be without the Wildcats,” Steve said. “A major part of his life is the Wildcats. You don’t know what this means to him.”
But Donohoe counters, once telling Steve: “No, no, you don’t understand what Jeremy means to my football team.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Rebecca Case, Developing Potential, Inc.
Executive Director.
816.252-0086, ext. 155
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
DEVELOPING POTENTIAL, INC. IS AWARDED GRANT TO INCREASE ACCESS TO NURSING SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES
Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City Grant Program Awards Funding
Independence, MO – April 16, 2012- Developing Potential, Inc. (DPI) has been awarded a grant from the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City (HCF) through the Applicant Defined Grant Program. DPI will use the funds to enable greater accessibility to nursing services for persons who have severe developmental and intellectual disabilities.
The Increase Access to Services project will provide support for medical oversight through an onsite registered nurse, health-related education for persons served, medical training for direct support professionals, and medical advocacy for individuals served. This $74,482 grant was awarded on March 8, 2012, and provides funding for this program through March 7, 2013. The program will serve a minimum of 115 individuals receiving services from Developing Potential at their Independence, Mo. and Kansas City, Mo. locations.
The Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City is providing funding for the on site registered nurse. Project outcomes include: medical oversight for health and wellness for individuals with disabilities, accurate dispensation of medication and accurate medication records for those served, training for staff members to help meet the medical needs of individuals served, and curriculum-based health education for individuals served.
Developing Potential, Inc. and HCF share a common goal to help the uninsured population. “This grant allows persons with developmental disabilities to gain access to needed medical supports and learn strategies for improving health and wellness to live lives to their fullest potential,” said Rebecca Case, Executive Director.
In 2010, HCF awarded over $22 million in grants in the Greater Kansas City area. HCF financially supports programs, projects and services that focus on improving public health and access to quality health care for the uninsured or underserved.
For more information on this grant, contact Rebecca Case, DPI Executive Director, at 816.252-0086, ext. 155 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
ABOUT DEVELOPING POTENTIAL, INC.
Developing Potential, Inc. is a nationally CARF accredited, not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing quality services and supports to adults with developmental disabilities. DPI began serving the community in 1993 in downtown Kansas City and opened a second site in Independence, Missouri in March 2002. DPI is embarking on the “Expanding Our Potential Campaign” to meet the needs of adults with disabilities in the Jackson County community and is expanding services in Lee’s Summit.
Developing Potential, Inc.’s mission is to provide quality day habilitation services to adults with developmental disabilities and support those individuals to reach their potential and achieve a dignified, adult lifestyle. To reach this goal, Developing Potential provides individualized onsite and offsite programs designed to encourage program participants to recognize and achieve their personal goals. For more information about DPI’s services, visit www.developingpotential.org.
ABOUT HCF
The Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City provides leadership, advocacy and resources that eliminate barriers to quality health for the uninsured and underserved in Kansas City, Missouri, Cass, Jackson and Lafayette counties in Missouri and Allen, Johnson, and Wyandotte counties in Kansas. Since it began grant making in 2005, HCF has awarded more than $90 million to agencies addressing health needs in the community. For more information, visit www.healthcare4kc.org.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact:
Rebecca Case
(816) 252-0086, ext. 155
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
DEVELOPING POTENTIAL, INC., IS AWARDED GRANT TO PROVIDE COORDINATED MEDICAL SUPPORT FOR ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City grants $57,706
Release date: January 13, 2012
Kansas City, Missouri – Developing Potential, Inc., (DPI) was recently awarded a $57,706 grant from the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City (HCF) through the HCF’s Safety Net Grants program.
This grant will support DPI’s Enhancing Medical Care and Supports for People with Developmental Disabilities project. This award will provide a medical case coordinator to conduct medical needs assessments and develop customized therapy plans for DPI’s program participants. This program serves individuals at DPI’s Kansas City and Independence locations who have severe developmental disabilities and co-occurring medical needs. Through this project, more than 100 adults with developmental disabilities will experience greater access to medical and therapeutic services. In addition, their families and caregivers will learn how to more effectively advocate for the health and wellness of their family member.
"The Health Care Foundation is pleased to support the efforts of Developing Potential in helping their clients receive the appropriate, coordinated medical care to help them live life to their highest potential," said Liana Riesinger, HCF Program Officer.
“DPI and HCF share a common goal to help the uninsured population and we are grateful to continue to do so,” said DPI’s Executive Director Rebecca Case. “This grant allows us to reach more Kansas City residents who are in need of our services. Individuals served by DPI face a variety of developmental challenges, including hydrocephalus, cerebral palsy, autism, epilepsy, Down syndrome, and Fragile X. In addition, more than 80 percent of those with developmental disabilities have co-occurring medical conditions. In response to this need, DPI has developed an innovative medical model for its day habilitation program. Without this support, many of those served by DPI would be forced into day care and adult nursing home facilities where these medical needs have traditionally been met. However, these facilities do not adequately address their habilitation needs and promote their potential for self-sufficiency and independent living.”
In 2011, HCF awarded $18.5 million in grants in the Greater Kansas City area. HCF financially supports programs, projects and services that focus on improving public health and access to quality health care for the uninsured or underserved.
For more information about this grant, contact Rebecca Case, Executive Director, at (816) 252-0086, extension 155, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
ABOUT DEVELOPING POTENTIAL, INC.
Developing Potential has been providing services to developmentally disabled adults since 1993. DPI began with one location in Kansas City, Missouri, and eight individuals served. Currently, more than 118 individuals are served at DPI’s Kansas City and Independence locations. DPI will open a third facility in Lee’s Summit this year, increasing the total number served to more than 130 adults with developmental disabilities. Developing Potential’s mission is to provide quality day habilitation services to adults with developmental disabilities and to support those individuals in reaching their potential and achieving a dignified, adult lifestyle. For more information visit www.developingpotential.org.
ABOUT HCF
The Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City provides leadership, advocacy and resources that eliminate barriers to quality health for the uninsured and underserved in Kansas City, Missouri, Cass, Jackson and Lafayette counties in Missouri and Allen, Johnson and Wyandotte counties in Kansas. Since it began grantmaking in 2005, HCF has awarded more than $120 million to agencies addressing health needs in the community. For more information, visit www.hcfgkc.org.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Rebecca Case, Developing Potential, Inc.
Executive Director.
816.252-0086, ext. 155
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.developingpotential.org
DEVELOPING POTENTIAL, INC. IS AWARDED GRANT TO INCREASE ACCESS TO THERAPY AND NURSING SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES
Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City Grant Program Awards Funding
Independence, MO – April 10, 2011- Developing Potential, Inc. (DPI) is being awarded a grant from the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City (HCF) through the Applicant Defined Grant Programs. DPI will use the funds to help person’s having severe developmental and intellectual disabilities to have access to nursing services.
The Increase Access to Services project, funded through the HCF’s Applicant Defined Grant Program, will provide support for medical nursing oversight, educational medical training for persons served, training direct support professionals and advocacy for health needs for individuals served. This grant was awarded in the amount of $40,000 for February 2011 to January 31st, 2012 and will serve approximately 100 plus individuals receiving services from Developing Potential at their Independence, Mo. and Kansas City, Mo. locations.
The Increase Access to Nursing Services project, funded through the HCF’s Applicant Defined Grant Program, will provide a nurse to be on staff to meet medical needs and address health and safety concerns for the adults with disabilities. Outcome goals of the grant include the following: medical oversight for health and wellness needs, with disabilities, administering medications and updating medication records to meet the needs of individuals served, training staff members to help meet the medical needs of individuals served and teaching health curriculum to individuals served.
Developing Potential, Inc. and HCF share a common goal to help the uninsured population and we are grateful to continue to do. . “This grant allows us to help persons having developmental disabilities gain access to needed medical supports and learn strategies for improving health and wellness to live lives to their fullest potential,” said Lori Oxborough, Program Coordinator/Director.
In 2010, HCF awarded over $22 million in grants in the Greater Kansas City area. HCF financially supports programs, projects and services that focus on improving public health and access to quality health care for the uninsured or underserved.
For more information on this grant, contact Rebecca Case, DPI Executive Director, at 816.252-0086, ext. 155 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
ABOUT DEVELOPING POTENTIAL, INC.
Developing Potential, Inc. is a nationally CARF accredited, not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing quality services and supports to adults with developmental disabilities. DPI began serving the community in 1993 in downtown Kansas City and opened a second site in Independence, Missouri in March 2002. DPI is embarking on the “Expanding Our Potential Campaign” to meet the needs of adults with disabilities in the Jackson County community and hopes to expand services in Lee’s Summit.
Developing Potential, Inc.’s mission is to provide quality day habilitation services to adults with developmental disabilities and support those individuals to reach their potential and achieve a dignified, adult lifestyle. To reach this goal, Developing Potential provides both onsite and offsite training programs designed to encourage program participants to recognize and achieve their personal goals through highly individualized programs. For more information about DPI’s services, visit www.developingpotential.org.
ABOUT HCF
The Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City provides leadership, advocacy and resources that eliminate barriers to quality health for the uninsured and underserved in Kansas City, Missouri, Cass, Jackson and Lafayette counties in Missouri and Allen, Johnson, and Wyandotte counties in Kansas. Since it began grant making in 2005, HCF has awarded more than $90 million to agencies addressing health needs in the community. For more information, visit www.healthcare4kc.org.
