(Adair) A Benefit for Former ACGC High School Student Jaya Fever will be held Saturday, February 3rd.
Jaya suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in December of 2022 at the age of 18, following a severe car accident on her way to ACGC High School. Doctors initially believed Jaya would not survive, as her brain injury was so severe, and she remained in critical condition for days. Jaya spent three weeks unconscious before transferring to Shirley Ryan Ability Lab in Chicago in a Special Unit for the minimally conscious or unconscious but medically stable patients. Jaya was transferred in February to QLI Rehabilitation Center in Omaha to focus on different areas of therapy. Jaya returned home in June 2023, and now travels multiple times a week for out-patient treatment at On With Life in Ankeny.
Jaya has now reached a new phase in her healing journey that will require expensive specialized treatments and therapies. KSOM News spoke to Kyle Fever, father of Jaya, about what this recovery process looks like. Kyle shared how helpful Jess Ehrman-Ellis, Mother of TBI Survivor Steele McLaren, has been through Jaya’s Journey.
As Kyle mentioned, most of these treatments are not covered by insurance, as well as additional costs will be incurred from out-of-state travel, food, and stays. Kyle wants the community to know how thankful they are for the support.
KSOM news also spoke to Adair Community Member Sharon Anderson, who explained that the Benefit is being held in collaboration with members of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and The Adair Fire Department. Sharon also touched on why community members gathered together for Jaya.
The Benefit is being held at the Adair Fire Hall and is open to the general public.
Following the meal, Steele McLaren will speak and share some of his experiences with the advanced treatments for TBIs. The Live Auction will begin at 6:30 p.m. and the Silent Auction will close at 7:30 p.m.
These auctions include numerous NFL items, procured through Sharon’s son Jeff Anderson. Jeff is currently the Chief Communications Officer and Executive Vice-President of Communications for the Minnesota Vikings. These NFL items include teams like the Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers, the Green Bay Packers, the Kansas City Chiefs, the Chicago Bears, and the Detroit Lions. The items are autographed by players including Brock Purdy, George Kittle, Patrick Mahomes, Justin Jefferson, Kirk Cousins, TJ Hockenson, TJ Edwards, Jack Campbell, and yet to be determined player(s) from the Packers. Jeff also acquired four tickets to the Vikings-Texans game for the auction.
If you would like to donate to this benefit, please contact Lisa Plowman at 641-740-0553 or lisap@esbanks.com. Monetary donations can also be sent through Venmo @good-shepherd-8 or by check to Jaya Fever Benefit, c/o Exchange State Bank P.O Box 98 Adair, IA 50002.
