There is an Ebola outbreak occurring in West Africa, that is taking many lives and instilling fear in many parts of the world. While the disease has not significantly spread to the US, the fear contagion sure has. Many of us are incredibly worried about the potential of Ebola spreading here, even if the current odds of dying from Ebola in the US are the same as being killed by a lightning strike.
I have decided to pause my work on iFeelio to help a friend of mine organize a hackathon to create practical solutions to address the Ebola challenge on the ground in West Africa. Why? Because iFeelio is about self-health–about giving people the ability to observe their emotional health and communicate it to others. To know how they feel and to nurse themselves to better emotional health.
I believe what is needed for the world in cases like Ebola is the ability for individuals to understand how to listen to themselves and to take care of themselves. Whether that means cautiously and meticulously attending to a loved one, or recognizing the internal worry one faces and having the courage to go seek the doctor, even if that means they will find out they have Ebola.
I feel a strong drive to help my friend, to help his family and friends, and to my help myself better understand how I can show people in West Africa that I care and I am acting.