My Role As the sole designer for this project. I have spent time in
researching, sketching, plannings, and creating the application.
The Problem People
who suffer from chronic pain such as fibromyalgia.
Look for a place to talk, vent and create friendships with others with
fibromyalgia
or chronic illness.
The Challenge
Finding the right combination of features that chronic pain
sufferers would like in a social media app. Integrating mental health,
resources and a social platform catered to the community.
The Solution
Creating a social networking app for fibro warriors to be
part of a community.
Personal Project
As a fellow Fibromyalgia warrior, I quickly realized that I
needed support not only from my immediate family and friends. But from others
just like me, I joined Facebook groups and started to see a pattern of others
looking for a community to interact with.
I started to research about social media applications that
would cater to the specific chronic illness. Because let’s face it, Facebook
can get bit overwhelming with all its other features.
I came across MyFibroTeam, The Mighty, PatientsLikeMe, and ManageMyPain
apps.
While these apps are amazing and serve great service. I was looking for
something with more of a social mediat component with the benefits of
resources, related topics, chat features, and more.
I conducted a quick study on Facebook groups on what they
wanted in an app.
Benefits of a support group social app
· Feeling less lonely, isolated, or judged.
· Reducing distress, depression, anxiety or fatigue
· Talking openly and honesty about your feelings.
· Improving understanding of disease and your own
experience with it.
· Getting practical feedback about treatment
options
· Learning about health, economic or social
resources.
· More frequent or flexible participation.
· Opportunities for people who may not have local
face-to-face support groups.
· A degree of privacy or anonymity
