CEO & Co-Founder
CTO & Co-Founder
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always struggled with my mental health. When I got my first taste of alcohol at an early age, I knew it was going to be a problem. Over time, both progressed rapidly and increasingly worse.
I am a recovering chronic alcoholic, addict, and compulsive gambler but I am not limited to these addictions. As I say, if you gave me a few sticks and stones, I’d find a way to become addicted. Between many interventions and treatments, I have relapsed again and again. What’s the result? Complete chaos. Along with hurting those around me. My life consists of finding a way to live sober and ultimately striving to do good things to make up for the bad I have done.
I’ve been diagnosed with quite a variety of mental illnesses throughout my life. Although experts have had contradicting opinions, one thing is for sure, I suffer…A LOT. I’ve had a few attempts to end my life. The truth is, I’m not sure why or how I am here today. Unfortunately, I don’t think my story is one of how overcame these issues and became a completely brand new person. My life is a story about living and surviving. At the same time, who knows what the future holds?
Due to this endless and painful struggle, I have become obsessed with doing whatever it takes to help even that one person. This app has given meaning to my confusing existence. I won’t stop until I have given all I have to make a difference.
I’ll never forget the day the idea came to me. Not just because I was ready to take my life, but because of the hope that filled the enormous void. Having no reason to be here had transformed into a dream. A dream of making change. From that point until today, I never looked back. I swore to myself that no matter what happened, I wouldn’t end my life until this app was in another person’s hand.
I had no clue how to make this happen but knew I would, even if it took a lifetime. I started telling people about the idea when I was admitted to a psychiatric hospital the next day. The nurses, psychologists and more importantly the patients, loved the idea. I began emailing anyone I could think of for help.
Enter Social Entrepreneurs Ireland – an organisation that not only believed in Pleaze but me as a person. I was accepted into the Ideas Academy in 2021 and began exploring how I was going to make this a reality.
In October 2022, We launched a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo. 70 generous people backed us and we raised €2,650!
With all that said, I’ve never been better. I am in a space to do this. I am ready to take Pleaze where it needs to go. I sincerely hope you get something from this app, even if it is just hope. I am always here for anyone, there isn’t much I haven’t seen or heard so don’t be shy. If you need anything, I don’t care how big or small… I’m just a message away.
With never-ending love,
James Lewis.
This is just the beginning of Pleaze. We plan to roll out additional features and implement changes where possible. Ultimately, we want to become more than an app and tackle these issues in as many ways as possible. It’s an exciting time and we hope you can join us on this journey!
© 2024 Pleaze App Ltd.
All Rights Reserved
