<h1>Our Founders Story</h1><p>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.</p><p>I am a recovered 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.</p><p>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 have suffered extremely.</p><p><br></p><p>I’ve had multiple attempts to end my life. The truth is, I’m not sure why or how I am here today.</p><p><br></p><p>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.</p><p><br></p><p>Fortunately, today I am in recovery and do not suffer anymore with my mental health.</p><p class="ql-align-center"><img src="https://pleazeapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/3.jpeg.webp" height="774" width="750"></p><p class="ql-align-center"><em>James receiving rTMS treatment at instituto de Dr.Scheib, Mallorca</em></p><p class="ql-align-center"><br></p><h3>From Idea to Dream</h3><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p><br></p><h1>Crowdfunding campaign success on Indiegogo</h1><p>In October 2022, We launched a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo. 70 generous people backed us and we raised €2,650!</p><p>As you can probably tell, it has been a while since I came up with this idea, a little over 3 years. I’ve battled in these years horrifically. Pondering whether to give up or not and I was scared that if this failed, I wouldn’t have a reason to live.</p><p>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.</p><p>With never-ending love,</p><p>James Lewis.</p>