Jason Ellefson
“This organization is amazing. The support and direction they have given me to share our story and get eyes on this not only helps us but helps other people.”
We’re grateful to the team at CBS GoodDay Sacramento for interviewing our client Jason Ellefson and his wife, Shawna, about how they’ve built resilience, community, and hope following a life-changing medical event.
What started out as an ordinary, positive day for Jason and Shawna turned into an emergency that altered the course of both their lives. As Shawna started the first day of a new job, Jason prepared to play bass for his rock band. At 8:30 p.m. that night, Jason collapsed in the middle of a set.
His bandmates called 911, and his band’s guitar player started CPR. He had just completed his CPR certification 2 days before Jason’s emergency.
Jason survived 4 cardiac arrests, experienced a spinal stroke, and was placed in a medically induced coma. His medical team believed he would never emerge from a vegetative state. Shawna disagreed.
“I became a feral female in those rooms. I was not going to give up on him—the kindest, funniest, most loving, and most generous man I’ve ever known.”
Shawna’s instincts were right: Jason emerged from the coma battered but conscious. He lost 80% of his memory.
“Basically, medical insurance will not cover everything – things Jason truly needs to keep recovering.”
Shawna left her job to become her husband’s caregiver and advocate. The couple have their sights set on what Jason needs to move from surviving to thriving, including a medical service dog, robotic legs for therapy, and an accessible golf cart for transportation.
Their hope lies not just in their ability to fund these critical needs through Help Hope Live but also in the power of helping others whose lives change in an instant. As Shawna explained:
“I remember feeling so lost and so alone with no direction. I don’t know why this happened to us, but I want to help other people, and be able to guide other women.”
Shawna’s advice to the other wives, caregivers, and supporters advocating on behalf of a loved one?
“Sometimes, you’ve got to be a little feral.”
