An entrepreneur and mum of three walked away from a successful corporate career to build a new venture inspired by her experience as a carer for her son.
Stephanie Jackson, from Solihull, has established Blue Badgers, an interactive online platform and app offering rewards and connection for both people with disability and their carers.
The mission is rooted in over thirteen years of lived experience with her eldest son, Ben. As one of only 40 people globally with You-Hoover-Fong Syndrome – a rare genetic condition – Ben’s ability to move, learn, and see the world is profoundly limited. For Stephanie, this meant becoming a lifelong carer as well as a new mum.
But it was some eight years after Ben was born – arriving at full term weighing just 3lbs – that Stephanie and her husband, Mike, finally received a diagnosis. Until that moment, they were one of hundreds of families navigating the limbo of Syndromes Without a Name.
Stephanie reflects that getting those answers was a profound relief, an outcome that wouldn’t have been possible without the 100,000 Genomes Project given how incredibly rare the condition is.
However, the timing was a true test; they were expecting their third child when the news arrived, adding another layer to the “ups and downs” parents face in this unseen world.
Ultimately, Ben’s journey has contributed to a much larger picture. By using the family’s data to develop a new clinical test, geneticists have turned their experience into a permanent advancement in medical science. Ben is now part of a small pool of individuals helping to map the human genome, providing a deeper understanding that will directly benefit other families in the years to come.
She added: “When a child has complex needs and can’t care for themselves, there’s no such thing as an ‘off’ moment. Being a mum is incredibly rewarding, but some days are emotionally exhausting. Life can feel both isolating and relentlessly hectic.”
Across the UK, Stephanie is just one of a silent army of 10.6 million people providing the unpaid care that keeps families and communities running. Many carers balance this work alongside careers, with a significant number providing tens of hours of support each week, including more than 1.5 million people providing 50 or more hours of care each week. It is a labour of love that carries no protection against burnout.
“This isn’t just a family duty; it is the invisible infrastructure of our health system.” Stephanie explains.
“Without these millions of hands, the social care sector would simply collapse. I reached a point where I needed to channel my professional skills into changing how this community is seen and valued.”
Founded on Ben’s birthday, Blue Badgers seeks to fill a significant gap in the support landscape. While discount schemes exist for students and professional, paid carers, there has been no equivalent of – or recognition for – the millions of unpaid parents, siblings, and friends whose roles are often taken for granted.
She said: “The disability and carer community holds extraordinary strength, resilience and talent. We need to celebrate our differences, show appreciation and share the joy. We want to say thank you by connecting them with businesses that truly value their contribution.”
“Why shouldn’t a carer get a discounted ticket on a respite day? Caring isn’t a part-time role – that role exists 24/7, regardless of whether you are currently standing next to the person you care for. Unpaid carers give extraordinary amounts of time, energy and compassion without recognition or reward.
Beyond rewards, Blue Badgers is designed with community at its heart. The app features an interactive map, which lets members share and discover accessible, member-friendly businesses and venues tailored to different needs.
The goal is to turn the often-stressful task of planning a day out into something simple, fun, and enjoyable. For just £4.99 a year, members gain access to a movement that prioritises hassle-free fun.
Ultimately, Stephanie, 43, is building more than an app; she is building a community to combat the bleak tone often associated with disability resources.
“Caring can be a very lonely experience, and the energy it takes just to get information or have your voice heard is exhausting,” she says. “I want Blue Badgers to be purposely joyful and celebratory. The response has been overwhelming – businesses are eager to learn, and families are thrilled to finally have a platform focused on them.”
Reflecting on her journey, Stephanie notes that the seeds for Blue Badgers were sown long ago before Ben came along – volunteering for inclusive residential holidays that bring together disabled and non-disabled children and young people to break down social barriers through adventure and play.
“I loved Birmingham PHAB Camps and my husband Mike came with me on some of those camps too. Looking back, it’s almost like I was always meant to do this.”
The Blue Badgers app is available to download on Google Play now with the iOS version to follow soon.
