Mom develops an app that offers friendship and support to the caregiver at every stage of the journey.

When Jessica Barker's five-year-old daughter was diagnosed with a rare congenital heart disease (hypoplastic left heart syndrome), she felt that raising a child with additional needs made her feel "isolated", since she struggled to find people who understood what her and her family were going through.

As other moms and their children were having play dates, going to baby groups and things, Jessica was at home with her baby connected to an oxygen tube. This was so far removed for the experience of the majority, that she lingered to find someone near her who understood what she and her family were going through, and who could just meet up for a coffee and a talk.
This is where she found that something was missing, as she knew that they could not be the only one's feeling like this in the world. And just like that, the seed was planted!

She began searching for Facebook groups related to her daughter's disease, but the only one's that she could find, were too "clinical", and a lot of people on them weren't from the same place as she was.

With that being said, she started Friendili, an app to help people caring for children with health conditions to make connections. This app allows parents to find friends for them and their children, and by toggling in accordance with location, interests, and the health journeys your family is on, they can connect with people who understand and who are near them.

This app also allows families to celebrate their wins, ask for help, or support to get through the day.

You can find Friendili app for Android and iOS.
Story adapted form https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-birmingham-53361549