Welcome!
We are Jason and Pam, founders of The Coco Project. Our story is series of wonderful, heartbreaking, and complicated circumstances, all leading to this endeavor.
The Coco Project was born from a journey of love, loss, resilience, and a deep desire to make sure no family faces the hardest moments of life alone.
Our story began with three tiny lives—Emily, Shepherd, and Nico. They entered the world as triplets, but our joy was met with heartbreak when we learned that Shepherd had a serious heart condition. At 23 weeks, we said goodbye to our son before we ever had the chance to hold him. His life was brief, but his impact on our family was immeasurable. Shepherd taught us that a life does not have to be long to be meaningful.
Our journey continued with Nico, who arrived alongside his sister Emily and spent the next four years teaching us what it means to find joy in the midst of unimaginable challenges. After suffering a brain injury, Nico faced more than most people will ever know. His life was filled with hospital stays, medical complexities, uncertainty, and countless moments of courage. Yet through it all, Nico showed us the beauty of perseverance, the power of connection, and the incredible strength found in simply being present.
Later, we experienced another profound loss when our son Nehemiah was diagnosed with a genetic condition and passed away at 24 weeks. Once again, we found ourselves navigating a grief that is often unseen. A grief that changes you, reshapes you, and leaves a lasting imprint on your family.
The Coco Project was created from these experiences.
While much of our story is reflected through Nico’s journey, The Coco Project is a legacy built from the lives of all three of our sons—Shepherd, Nico, and Nehemiah. Their stories revealed a need we could not ignore: families facing medical complexity, traumatic grief, and loss need more than medical care alone. They need to be seen. They need community. They need someone willing to walk beside them.
The name “Coco” came from Nico’s sister, Emily, who, when she was learning to talk, couldn’t quite say his name. Like many things born out of love, it stayed. What began as a sweet childhood nickname became a symbol of the love, resilience, and purpose carried forward through our children’s lives.
The Coco Project exists to support families navigating the overwhelming realities of medical complexity and traumatic grief. Through connection, compassion, and meaningful support, we strive to remind families that they are not alone.
Our sons’ lives were not defined by how long they were here, but by the love they created and the impact they continue to have.
Their stories became our purpose.
And through The Coco Project, their legacy continues—bringing comfort, connection, and support to families walking their own difficult journeys.
Thank you for joining us here.