Life After Shaken Baby Syndrome: Jacah’s Story
Who is Jacah?
Jacah Jefferson is a 19-year-old Shaken Baby Syndrome Survivor. He was abused at 5 months old by his biological mother's boyfriend. After a long hospital stay and abusive foster homes, Jacah was finally placed in his forever home with his step-grandmother Stacy Williams, that he now only knows as his mom.
Jacah is a lover of music, travel, fancy haircuts, and is nicknamed The Lovebug because of his contagious smile. His Facebook page (Jacah's Ladder) has over 9,000 followers where his Life After Shaken Baby Syndrome is shared.
His miracle life has shown his strength to overcome many diagnoses, illnesses, hospitalizations, and unfortunately gross negligence.
On January 26, 2021, Jacah was pronounced deceased by 2 EMTs that refused to perform CPR on him. After 31 days in the hospital, his fight for justice was broadcasted in the news and his case went all the way to the Supreme Court where justice did not prevail for him, only Qualified Immunity in favor of the EMTs. That same year, November 19, 2021, Jacah was diagnosed with pneumonia that caused him to be placed on ECMO for 65 days. This hospital stays totaled 126 days. In July 2024, he was grossly overfed at a pediatric day center he had only been registered at for a couple of weeks. This led him to aspirate and was diagnosed with pneumonia again. After 15 days in the hospital, he was released and never returned to that center.
All of these things shared are just examples of his resilience and the favor God has on his life filled with purpose.
Jacah is the inspiration for the nonprofit organization Love Has No Disability Inc, the book titled Jacah's Ladder, he has been on 13 cruises, modeled in several fashion shows, and was crowned the 2023 Mr. Wonderful Jr. Ambassador by We See Abilities.
Jacah Jefferson is the epitome of #LifeAfterShakenBabySyndrome #LifeAfterCardiacArrest #LifeAfterScoliosisSurgery #LifeAfterECMO #LifeWithATrach #LifeWithCerebralPalsy #LifeWithAGTube
Keyword is #LIFE
