KC Guns 'N Hoses 2023 Recipients
The Scott Family
SHAWNEE POLICE DEPARTMENT
Jennifer Scott has been employed by the Shawnee Police Department as a police officer since April 2020.
In March of 2022, Jennifer began suffering from a series of serious medical issues. She has experienced neuropathy in her hands, abnormal bleeding, blood clot issues, and fainting spells. She has been placed on large amounts of medication to alleviate some of the symptoms of her illness, but these end up causing unexpected side effects. Due to the vast amount of testing, Jennifer has been in and out of the hospital and has spent multiple weeks at the Mayo Clinic. After several months of testing, she was diagnosed with a rare condition referred to as “Sweet’s Syndrome.”
The underlying issue is an autoimmune disorder as well as a blood disorder. These conditions have affected her ability to care for herself without assistance.
Through this journey, Jennifer was unable to work for months and though she is back to limited work, she has accumulated a large number of medical bills. She remains strong for her family and the community that she serves.
The Stiefer Family
JOCO SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
Jay Stiefer has worked with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office for seven years and is a Marine. He began his career in Detention and has also worked in Patrol and Communications.
Jay’s journey started in 2015 when he had a seizure while working. After testing and bloodwork, it was discovered he had a type of brain cancer called Astrocytoma. He had surgery soon after and Jay was monitored with frequent MRIs to monitor growth.
The guidelines for this type of cancer change often, sometimes between each doctor’s visit. In 2019, the tumor started growing with a vengeance and chemotherapy was immediately started. In 2022, he started experiencing symptoms which included dizziness and numbness. Surgery was the only option. After 11 hours, they stopped the surgery to prevent physical disabilities. Jay is currently undergoing treatments to heal.
This journey with cancer has been hard for Jay and his family. Through it all, he continues to be the one to give and support his family.
The Skeens Family
OLATHE FIRE DEPARTMENT
Marshall Skeens joined the Olathe Fire Department in 2019. In late October 2022, his wife, Briana, suffered a stroke. She is only 27 years old. The stroke was severe and it required a hospital and inpatient physical therapy. Briana has shown strength, courage and persistence through all her physical therapy and continues to recover but has a long road ahead of her.
Due to Briana’s current recover, she has not been able to help care for their two young girls. During this time, Marshall has taken time from work to help at home.
For a young firefighter the bills from an unexpected stay in the hospital and inpatient and outpatient physical therapy has created another obstacle.
Marshall and Briana are resilient and are working hard to continue their healing as a family.
Being a recipient will provide and assist this family with the daily needs they are currently struggling with.