My Missing Mind

SYNOPSIS -- "Based on a true story, a rare disease erases a young man's memory and alters his thinking, as he embarks on a journey to self-discovery."

Imagine waking up one day with your memory erased, but with an open mind, free of all inhibitions? Jacob is a soon-to-be college graduate who falls ill with encephalitis, a neurological disease, then must learn the real world all over again. A true story, this 'dramedy' will both entertain and inspire.

 

'My Missing Mind' is my mission as an encephalitis survivor to educate the general audience on the disease, support survivors and caregivers in their efforts to recovery, and bring to light the dark side of this chronic illness and it's impact on the lives of others. Encephalitis took me to the edge of mortality and is a very serious and rare disease. There's many people around the world dealing with many other rare and unknown illnesses, too often taking a toll on the patient and their families.

'My Missing Mind' is filming in partnership with Encephalitis411, a 501(c)(3) non-profit company, whose mission is to improve the quality of life for those impacted by encephalitis. As a current board member, E411 has a 3-pronged approach to achieve this through research, awareness and advocacy.

 

I want 'My Missing Mind' to help aid those going through any mental and physical challenges, showing that the term Survival shouldn't just be treated like a runner's up trophy. After such a hard fought battle with this brain disease, I have learned you must live life to the fullest, but not everyone can flip the switch so easily.

 

My story is set in college in south Louisiana, Cajun country. It's where you learn to peel crawfish as a kid and only make seafood gumbo during the winter. It's a culture so deep in the swamp, we argue over who makes the best boudin and are already planning for the next Mardi Gras parade.

 

The film escalates very quickly from normal college life, to a fast downfall in health, to an emergency trip to the hospital. When my parents were notified of my illness, the day of the Mardi Gras parade, police had to clear hundreds of people out of the street for my family to drive off. And the journey begins!

 

From early diagnosis to full discharge from the hospital, I was not the same person I was the day I was let in. Encephalitis really does a number on your long term memory immediately but improves with help from family, while your short term memory takes even more work.

 

'My Missing Mind' follows Jacob the whole way, over a span of just under a year, going from the hospital to recovery, then back to work and eventually in school, and finally to graduation. Along the way are many emotionally challenging and humorous moments, but the family must stay strong and work together to see Jacob prevail.

 

Thanks in advance and let's work together to help fight Encephalitis!

 

-Jacob Savoie, Writer and Producer

 

-Griffith Mehaffey, Stellarblade LLC, Director and Cinematographer