Our story: compassion, innovation, and well-being

Discover the journey that led to Ruthwell and WellNote, born from personal experience and a deep commitment to supporting those with chronic conditions. Our story is one of understanding, empathy, and the pursuit of tools that genuinely make a difference in everyday life.

The inspiration behind Ruthwell and WellNote

The genesis of Ruthwell and WellNote stems from a very personal place. My husband's experience with atrial fibrillation, facing constant palpitations, breathing difficulties, and the challenges of daily tasks, highlighted a critical need. He underwent countless cardioversions and even a valve replacement, yet he lacked an easy, intuitive way to document his symptoms in a language doctors could readily understand. This deeply stressful period illuminated the gap between lived experience and medical communication.

A mother's legacy: the spirit of Ruthwell

Ruthwell is named in honor of my mother, Ruth, who is the profound inspiration behind my mission to help others. Despite facing significant disability from the age of 35 that completely altered her life's path, she remained an embodiment of compassion, kindness, and generosity. Her ability to contribute meaningfully despite limited resources stood in stark contrast to others with far more, yet who gave less. She left an indelible mark on her family and friends, an angelic figure whose spirit guides every aspect of Ruthwell. Her unwavering commitment to the well-being of others is what I strive to emulate, ensuring that everyone can find a path to being well.

Innovating symptom tracking: "just dropped in"

My husband's struggles directly informed the development of WellNote. He needed a tool to simply "speak symptoms into the phone" and have them translated into a doctor-friendly summary. This led to the creation of a unique feature within WellNote: turning numeric pain scales into musical genres. Instead of abstract numbers, users can associate their pain levels with musical titles like "breakdown day," "happy day," or "black hole Sunday." This playful yet powerful approach makes tracking more engaging and memorable than generic numbers. The new name for the app, "Just Dropped In," is inspired by the song, "I just dropped in to see what my condition my condition was in," a phrase I’ve always found amusing and fitting for this journey of self-monitoring. This new name, along with the innovative musical genre concept for pain scales, is now trademarked and patented.

"Ruthwell and WellNote have been a game-changer for understanding my chronic condition. The compassion and practicality shine through every feature."

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