In 2011, Lisa Gribby learned her mom, Rozanne, had been diagnosed with a life-threatening form of Leukemia and would be hospitalized for an extensive period of time as she underwent chemotherapy. Lisa felt helpless and did the only thing she could think of – took a leave of absence from work so she could travel across the country to be by her mother’s side – and then, she bought her mom an iPad.
Lisa with her mom, Rozanne, following a round of chemotherapy. (May 2011) Photo Credit: Louis Seguin
The device was a huge hit. Rozanne stayed connected to family and friends while she was undergoing treatment. She had access to games, news and videos to distract her during those months of uncertainty.
After seven long months, Rozanne was settling back into her life, the digital tablet became an essential part of it. She used it everyday – to communicate with her daughter and other family members, to connect with old friends on Facebook, and of course, to play Scrabble.
New devices and applications (or apps) are emerging at a rapid pace. More and more, these programs have the ability to connect adults to information and each other. Unfortunately, the support to navigate this technology is limited. Most workshops, classes and other support is frankly too technical for the average user. And even if users are willing to make the leap to find support, the learning environment can present a challenge for absorbing information. This is a significant barrier for maximizing the benefits these mobile devices provide.
Back home in Portland, Oregon Lisa began receiving calls from her parents about the iPad. How do I send photos? Where do I find that song I downloaded? How do I keep track of my passwords? Do I really need to accept this software update? What’s the difference between a message and a post on Facebook? The calls came weekly, sometimes more. Soon Lisa was answering questions from other friends and relatives.
While many people share similar stories of the challenges their parents face as they navigate computers, smartphones, and tablets, Lisa saw an opportunity. In 2013 she started Clear Day Consulting, a service to help adults feel more confident in their ability to maximize the benefits of personal technology.
