Priska Diaz, a 36-year-old mother from the United States, faced the common challenges of breastfeeding while juggling her family and work commitments. Determined to find a solution for herself and other mothers, Priska combined her background in product design with her passion for improving maternal health. This led her to create a device that supports breastfeeding in today’s busy world.
az

Lorraine Ansell is a passionate content creator and storyteller, who uses her writing to express her unique experiences. Her latest work, The Surrender Agenda, offers a candid exploration of her life with Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) and the profound impact chronic pain has on her identity and daily life.

Dan Harris, a 45-year-old entrepreneur from Peterborough, UK, is an advocate for neurodiversity and inclusive education. He is the founder of the charity "Neurodiversity in Business," which focuses on supporting individuals with neurological differences in the workplace and beyond. Dan's journey into advocacy began with his personal experiences as the father of Joshie, his 10-year-old son, who is autistic and non-speaking.

This project began with the deep concern of Malaysian mechanical engineer Mohd Noor Syazwan Ab Patar for his son, Muhammad Qhalish, who was diagnosed with spina bifida at 19 months old. This condition causes paralysis from the waist down, severely limiting Qhalish's mobility and making it difficult for him to move like other children his age. Watching his son struggle to keep up with his cousins, Syazwan was determined to find a way to give him greater independence.

Kelley Highney, an entrepreneur and mother, encountered a significant challenge when she moved from San Diego to the Acreage in Florida, where she faced a high prevalence of mosquitoes. Concerned about the use of harsh chemicals on her infant, Highney sought a safer, more effective solution for insect bites.

Caley and her family have always been determined to give Mason the best life possible, and this spirit of resilience and creativity has led to the development of an innovative solution that’s making a significant impact on Mason’s life and inspiring others.

Rebecca Taylor, is 20-year-old who has channeled her personal experience with pediatric pancreatitis into a profound initiative for children facing similar challenges. Diagnosed with the condition at a young age, Taylor was determined to use her Make-A-Wish Foundation wish to create something meaningful. Thus, Rebecca’s Wish was born—a nonprofit organization supporting children with pancreatitis. Her vision further expanded with the creation of Camp Hope, a free, overnight summer camp tailored for these young individuals.

Peter Lammer, a 52-year-old cook from Germany, faced a life-altering challenge after a severe motorcycle accident. Previously an active and dedicated family man, Peter’s world changed drastically when the accident resulted in debilitating leg injuries and an 80% disability rating.

Eileen Lamb, the mother of two sons Jude and Charlie with autism and an autistic person herself, faced significant challenges in managing daily routines and providing a supportive environment for her children, Jude and Charlie. Bedtime routines, in particular, were stressful and chaotic, exacerbated by the different needs of her children: Jude's nonstop talking and questions and Charlie's nonverbal communication and sensory sensitivities. Seeking effective solutions, Lamb turned to a voice assistant, after years of research and advice from friends and social media.

The Cooling Scratch Star was created out of love and necessity. Lauren Bell, a design graduate, wanted to help her brother, Rhys, who has suffered from eczema since he was three. Rhys used steroid creams for over 20 years to manage his painful skin flare-ups, but these treatments had many side effects and didn't always help. Lauren, who had eczema as a child but outgrew it, was determined to find a better solution for her brother.

Nick Hardman, a father from Yorkshire, was inspired to create a unique line of toys for disabled and ill children. The motivation came from his desire to provide comfort and companionship to youngsters facing medical challenges. His journey began nearly three years ago when a parent requested a custom toy shunt for a child undergoing treatment for a brain tumor. This heartfelt request illuminated a gap in the market for toys that resonate deeply with children experiencing similar medical conditions.

Chun Yu, the founder and CEO of Visiontif, was deeply inspired by his blind uncle's lifelong struggles. Despite his uncle's intelligence and kindness, he faced significant challenges due to his blindness, which limited his educational and job opportunities. This personal connection gave Yu a profound understanding of the obstacles faced by visually impaired individuals.

Clare Tawell, a former hospital radiographer, started a not-for-profit company called Bright Ears UK to help children feel more included and represented. Her motivation came from her own experience with her daughter, Matilda, who was born deaf and needed a hearing aid. When Clare tried to find a doll with a hearing aid for Matilda, she couldn't find any.

Felicia Jackson, a dedicated Physical Therapist Assistant, was driven to create CPRWrap after facing a terrifying moment when her son nearly choked to death. In that critical moment, she realized how difficult it can be to remember and correctly perform CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) steps. Determined to prevent others from experiencing the same despair, Felicia turned her traumatic experience into a life mission: to create a tool that could empower anyone to act confidently in an emergency.

San Antonio's mother, Abby Ekmark, was inspired by her tragedy to create a toolkit aimed at enhancing safety for children with autism. Her initiative honors her late son, Rudy Alejos, who had Autism Spectrum Disorder and tragically died in a fire in August 2011. The toolkit reflects Ekmark's commitment to preventing similar incidents and raising awareness about safety and communication for children with special needs.

Inspired by his nonverbal autistic son Jaxon, Justin Behnke, a dedicated father from Phoenix, has created a product called 'Scan Me Home'. Jaxon, who is on the autism spectrum and non-verbal, has taught his father invaluable lessons about life and communication. Despite this strong bond, Justin faces significant challenges, particularly Jaxon's tendency to run or wander off. This behavior, known as elopement, is common among children on the autism spectrum and poses a constant risk to their safety.

The Alpha Monitor was inspired by a personal experience of its 17-year-old inventor, Hemesh Chadalavada. In 2019, Hemesh discovered that his grandmother, Jayasree, who had Alzheimer’s, had left the gas on. This incident highlighted the need for a reliable device to ensure the safety and well-being of Alzheimer’s patients, motivating Hemesh to develop a practical solution: The Alpha Monitor

The Alpha Monitor is a compact wearable device designed to assist Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers. It offers several features that set it apart from existing solutions.

Driven by a heartfelt concern for her baby brother's safety and stirred by the distressing accounts of infants falling victim to heatstroke in vehicles, Sophie, a compassionate 4th grader, felt compelled to take action. With her mother's support, Sophie embarked on a mission to confront this urgent issue head-on. Her goal was clear: to devise a practical solution capable of preventing such tragic incidents. This marked the genesis of "Sophie's Baby Forget-Me-Not" — an innovative creation poised to protect the lives of infants and offer solace to families haunted by the specter of loss.

Nikki Puzzo, inspired by her daughter Stella's post-surgery challenges and fueled by her ingenuity, embarked on a journey that transformed a personal necessity into a groundbreaking venture. Following Stella's double hip surgery, Nikki was confronted with the impracticality of conventional clothing options recommended by doctors for her daughter's recovery. Determined to find a better solution, she ingeniously modified a pair of pants with Velcro, creating adaptive clothing that not only facilitated Stella's recovery but also garnered praise from medical professionals.

In 2005, Anne-Marie Zajdlik witnessed a life-changing event. The birth of a baby named Masai, who was born HIV-negative despite having parents with HIV, inspired Anne-Marie to take action. She founded the Bracelet of Hope organization, emerging as its driving force. Her dedication and visionary leadership have guided the organization in its mission to make a difference in people's lives.