2026 Blue KC Gamechanger Honoree Debbie Horn
Life in the Mainstream
Great things often come from personal adversity. That’s definitely the case with Inclusion Connections, the brainchild of Debbie Horn.
When Horn gave birth to her son, Matthew, who has Down syndrome, she knew she needed help. When he was in high school, she realized that he had the same dreams as his classmates. She discovered that there was no organization to help him take next steps. So, she started one.
“I could see by his expressed desire that he wanted to live as much of a typical life as possible,” she said. “He has two brothers, and he constantly pointed to them. All the things that he wanted to achieve in his life, he would need help.
“I’ve been very involved in the disability community since he was 3 years old. I wanted to do something a little different. I have an entrepreneurial spirit, and I wanted to start an organization that didn’t exist.”
Inclusion Connections is privately funded. They have multiple funding sources instead of relying on one financial pillar. That approach allows them to raise funds for various aspects of help. Donations can be applied where donors feel most led.
At first, Inclusion Connections focused primarily on education and social activities for those attending high school. As they began graduating, Inclusion Connections added an employment program, called “PawsAbilities.” Through that program, they sell pet treats, pet bandanas and pet toys.
Because of the work Horn and Inclusion Connections is doing, she is the April recipient of the Blue KC Gamechanger award. Founded in 2024 by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC) and the KC Current, the Blue KC Gamechanger program recognizes an individual whose leadership inspires physical, mental, emotional and community wellness by creating healthier, more inclusive environments. This can be done through healthcare, education, sport or advocacy efforts. To nominate the next Blue KC Gamechanger, CLICK HERE.
Participants in the Inclusion Connections program receive job training, get introduced to the onboarding process and receive transportation, since most of them are not able to drive. With their disability, most could not stand at a bus stop safely.
“We had three pillars in the beginning: social, educational and employment,” Horn said. “We’ve added independent living. We are in the final phase of raising funds to build 43 apartments in Olathe. It’s been the expressed desire of our constituents to live on their own. The people we serve are from 25 to 40, and they all say, ‘I don’t want to live with my mom and dad anymore. I want to be independent.’”
The complex will have individual apartments with a shared dining room that focuses on nutrition. “Typically, they live a very sedentary life and don’t always have access to nutrition that keeps them healthy,” Horn said.
It will be the first community of its kind in the Kansas City area. Rex Hudler, the color analyst on the Royals television broadcasts, and his wife, Jennifer, are Inclusion Connections’ campaign chairs. The Hudlers’ son, Cade, already has his apartment picked out.
It’s a total shift in expectations for adults with Down syndrome, which was Horn’s goal when Matthew was born.
“Matthew had such a good educational experience, I almost created a monster,” Horn said. “When he got out of high school, he had all the same expectations as all the other kids.”
Horn continues to work to make life as mainstream as possible for people like her son, Matthew.
“Debbie is a great example of using her own experiences as motivation for helping people with disabilities achieve their goals,” said Jenny Housley, Blue KC President. “We are very proud and excited to recognize her as our April Blue KC Gamechanger!”
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