KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A belly dancing superfan who is usually the one rooting on the Royals at Kauffman Stadium, now has the community rallying around him after being shot during a burglary at his home last week.
Jimmy Faseler is still in the hospital with critical injuries, but friends and family told FOX 4 he is feeling better and is even cracking jokes.
“It seems like he’s obviously hurt, but he always has a big heart and he’s good at being able to make the best out of situations,” said Faseler’s college friend, Philip Enlowe.
Faseler posed from his hospital bed Monday holding a bottle of Crown Town Ale and an Eric Hosmer brand wine in each hand for a photo tweeted out by radio host Danny Parkins. It included the newly trending hashtag #BounceBackJimmy.
It’s his positive spirit that inspired more than three dozen people – family, friends and fellow Royals fans – to show up at Life Connection Church in Independence Monday night for a prayer circle.
“Just a lot of people love Jimmy, so it obviously just brings people together rallying for him,” said Carson Conover, pastor at Life Connection, where Faseler attends services.
“So much of what we’ve heard so far in his updates has been positive and encouraging,” Conover continued. “So we’re very, very hopeful and we’re confident that he’s going to pull through.”
Faseler’s mother, Susan, and brother, JJ, also attended the rally of support. His mom declined an interview, but said she appreciates all the support from the community.
“Anticipation, but hope,” is how JJ Faseler described his family’s feelings about Jimmy’s progress. “Doctors have said he’s going to make a full recovery. We’re not fearing anything. Just waiting, just patience.”
If you want to help Jimmy with medical bills, visit his GoFundMe Page.