Stephanie's Story

Okay, after much request...I am posting an updated version of my first post "To the Journey" which includes the evolution of my new company, WELLalarm™. WELLalarm™ will be launching next month and I will be discussing it a great deal more during the next few weeks so please stay tuned!

In the meanwhile, please sign-up for our pre-launch contest!

Stephanie’s Story

If I have learned anything in the past few years it is that life is all about the journey, not the destination.

Of course, my case is extreme with extraordinary circumstances. I developed CIDP (Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy), a serious and potentially life threatening illness at age 28 which caused life as I knew it to come to a screeching halt. I was forced to stop working just as I was hitting my stride, and in many ways, stop living. All of my energy was focused on receiving these intensive and life saving treatments

When I first was diagnosed, many people gave me advice on how to hide my illness, who I should or should not tell, how much to tell them, how not to tell a guy on a date and how to massage my resume. In retrospect, I am not sure what made me feel worse, the fact that I was so ill or the fact that everywhere I turned I was essentially being told that I was no longer normal and that there was something wrong with me that I should hide. Though the nature of disease has changed, our attitudes continue to lag behind.

But my view is that knowledge and communication are our best tools in fighting illness. They are the most effective means of empowering and fortifying individuals, both sick and well. Instead of hiding, I started talking to people and researching every method of communication available on the market for both accessing medical records in emergency situations and easy every day access for everyone. When I realized it was actually more difficult than expected to receive instantaneous information and access to vital health information in emergency situations and after investigating the meager offerings medical jewelry provided, I decided to create my own solution with WELLalarm™. WELLalarm™ allows immediate access to necessary medical information through a multi-pronged internet, voice and mobile solution. The WELLalarm™ solution allows the user to access and control their healthcare information, upload and fax all of their medical records, prescription information, test results, create alerts and appointment reminders. Taking this idea a step further, I also tapped into my background in accessory design to create a modern and sophisticated line of medical jewelry for women, men and children. In addition to having your illness and imprinted on the reverse site, we also offer the option of linking your jewelry to your WELLalarm™ account through a unique WELLid enabling people to access your medical information in an emergency by phone, text and the internet.

Now, at age 32, I am, for the most part, firmly on the other side of the acute portion of my illness. As a result, I want to empower people to take control of their health and wellness in this country and help change the way people view chronic illness.

To the future of living WELL,

Stephanie Cion