In March 2022, our world, as we knew it, turned upside down. Our vibrant, fun-loving Tilly-Rae was just five years old when she was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). For nearly two months prior, we'd navigated a confusing maze of GP and hospital visits, watching her health ebb and flow, searching for answers that never came. The day of diagnosis was a blur of fear and overwhelming emotions, a rollercoaster we never imagined boarding.

Bringing Tilly home, we plunged into the steep learning curve of T1D management. Yet, amidst the injections, carb counting, and vigilant monitoring, a deeper concern emerged: Tilly's mental well-being. How would this life-altering diagnosis impact her spirit? We yearned for connection, desperately seeking other families nearby who understood this new reality. To our surprise, finding them was incredibly difficult.

Our Diabetes Specialist Nurse confirmed there were four other children Tilly's age in our area living with T1D, but GDPR meant she couldn't share any further details. It was a frustrating roadblock, yet it sparked an idea: What if there was a way to bridge this gap? A tool to connect children with diabetes to others, showing them they are truly not alone?

As a "40-something" with absolutely no tech experience, my journey to bring this vision to life was far from smooth. I invested thousands with developers who, despite their best efforts, just couldn't quite grasp the heart of what I was trying to create. They didn't share the same raw passion for this much-needed app.

So, in April 2024, I made a life-changing decision: I'd learn to code myself. After completing my first year at university, I'm now incredibly proud to say I've built this vision into a tangible reality.

Both Tilly and I genuinely hope this app helps you and your child discover and connect with the incredible network of T1D warriors and their parents you never knew existed right in your local community. Together, we can help our children see they are part of an absolutely amazing, supportive family. 💙💙💙