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Business & Tech

Website Helps Patients Track Symptoms

Woodstock resident creates a diary to help the millions suffering with chronic illnesses track symptoms and continue to 'do it all'

Beneath the smiles of nearly one in two Americans hide the pain of suffering through an invisible, yet chronic illness. Add the stresses of full-time work, community involvement, volunteer work, a new home and a husband, and multiply by a series of small business ideas to understand the extent to which Woodstock resident and creator of the Bluehealer Diary, Angela Shipp, pushes herself.

 “I know stress makes me sick,” Shipp said.

When Shipp learned, at only 20 years of age, that she had ulcerative colitis, she turned her passion for publishing into a small business dedicated to helping other busy individuals continue to “do it all” by providing a method to organize hectic schedules and secure peace of mind through the catharsis of writing.

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Shortly after her own diagnosis, Shipp would write down her symptoms, sometimes just the word “stress” on the calendar beside her checkbook.

“I’d keep track of my symptoms, and I’d make photocopies to take to my specialist who noticed a pattern. The fact that he noticed a pattern led me to make a product to help others,” Shipp said. 

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Furthering the idea to help others by marketing a diary, Shipp consulted with friends and family on the details of her product and what to call it.

“My mom said, ‘Don’t just make it about health, make it about everything,’ including maintaining order among children’s schedules, work schedules and household errands.” Shipp explained.

Shipp had some fun picking out the name of her new creation.

“My friend in an ad agency advised that I choose a name that has nothing to do with what the product is. At the same time, my brother wanted to get a Blue Heeler dog; I thought to myself ‘that’s perfect’ I can change heeler to healer and make a play on words.”

In 2008, she self-published her combination journal and organizer on Lulu.com and now the Bluehealer Diary is available through Virtual Bookworm on Amazon.com and Etsy.com.

Today, Shipp stays a lady with a long to-do list as she continues building her business with hopes of expanding to make available widgets on websites like Facebook and an app for smartphones.

Anyone planning a pregnancy, maintaining order among family chaos or silently struggling with an invisible illness can benefit from the Bluehealer Diary because its physical form provides privacy while still allowing accessibility for family or friends who may need to read it in an emergency situation. In addition to the diary, Shipp said she offers a women’s and baby’s diary, a necklace that symbolizes strength and perseverance; just touching it can remind the wearer that he or she can make it through the day and woof pack wellness cards that soothe the blah with humor and hope. Shipp said she continues to help inspire people and get them through their days.

“My goal is to empower and inspire people to live well or to live as well as possible with chronic illness,” Shipp said. “I think simply writing it all down can help manage an illness or diet plan and even alleviate stress.” 

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