Elk Grove High School's Podcast Tells the Story of Student's Radical Surgery

Elk Grove junior Ben Jasutis had a shunt installed to relieve pressure on his brain when he was an infant. He suffered from a condition known as hydrocephalus. Then, two years later, intractable seizures required radical surgery.

"I had a left hemispherectomy," he says. The family packed up and went to Cleveland Clinic for the radical operation that resulted in the removal the left hemisphere of Ben's brain. The seizures stopped. And Ben is doing better than ever.

In the new episode of the podcast "We Are EG," Ben tells his story. It is a story of hope, perseverance and humility.

Social Studies teacher Bruce Janu, who had Ben in class the year before, produced the episode. "Ben's story is a story that everyone can learn from," he says. "Ben is so positive, in spite of everything that he has gone through. What better way to start the new year than a lesson from Ben Jasutis on how to live life."

The podcast series began in September as a means to tell the unique stories of students and staff at Elk Grove High School.

Episodes of "We Are EG" are released twice a month and can be accessed via iTunes, Stitcher, or any podcast service. More information can be found at http://www.weareeg.org.