In 2014, Jacob Zeiher became one of the first recipients of the Jack & Julie Narcolepsy Scholarship, established by Project Sleep. Reflecting on his journey, Jacob emphasizes the importance of “paying it forward” to empower others through similar opportunities.
Jacob’s journey with narcolepsy began in his early school years when his father, a practicing physician, first observed symptoms. Initially investigated through a sleep study for sleep apnea, further tests including a Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) confirmed narcolepsy by his middle school years.
As college approached, Jacob learned about the scholarship through his doctor, which marked a pivotal moment in his life. Julie Flygare, the President & CEO of Project Sleep, personally informed him of his award—a moment Jacob vividly remembers while standing in his living room, contemplating his future at Ohio State University and the impact of the scholarship.
Over the last decade, Jacob has become an integral member of the Project Sleep community. He serves on the Expert Advisory Board as a patient advocate, contributes financially, and volunteers his time, as he is reviewing scholarship applications for the upcoming academic year for the Jack & Julie Narcolepsy Scholarship.
Jacob shares that his motivation for giving back is to support the advocacy work of Julie and Project Sleep, “Sleep is important for everyone. I want the populace to be more educated on the importance of sleep.” He shares that it is great to see how much the organization has grown in the past ten years and that he donates to “pay it forward” so that other people have similar opportunities.
Now a successful financial advisor in Indianapolis, Jacob offers encouragement to others with sleep disorders, stressing the power of community support. He advises students with similar conditions to prioritize sleep health and discipline to excel academically, emphasizing the strategic advantage of understanding sleep’s value.
Jacob’s commitment and contributions to Project Sleep are deeply appreciated, as he continues to make a significant impact within the community.
