During the COVID-19 quarantine in 2020, Shari Bailey encouraged her then-6-year-old daughter, Lana, to limit her electronic use and explore her creative mind outside of technology.

One day, while Lana was drawing and creating stories, her twin sister Laila, who was born with a condition called Jacobson syndrome, began scribbling on Lana’s story. This gesture was one of the few interactions the sisters had with each other, as Laila is nonverbal. She ran to her mother, excited and eager to share this memorable experience.

That day sparked inspiration for Lana to create something that brings people together through art and technology, as it did between the sisters. She thought up the name, Zigglebee, which she felt properly represented her vision.

Zigglebee, an innovative company based in Aberdeen, revealed its first technology-based product, the InfoMate wristband, to help individuals and those with disabilities   in an emergency.

The wristband is a low-risk medical device equipped with location and information tracking. It also comes with a special QR code unique to each user, supplied with customizable information in case of an emergency.

The QR code links to a software program where users or caregivers can include identifying information for the person wearing the wristband such as name, age, medical history and emergency contacts. The app provides real-time notifications anytime the QR code is scanned with location, date and time.

Wristbands retail for $239; however, Zigglebee is allowing a limited time discount, bringing the total down to $179. Eventually, the company would like to label the wristband a medical necessity for qualified people, making it eligible for Medicare and Medicaid coverage.

Wandering away from a safe area, also known as eloping, is a huge problem within the special needs community and Zigglebee sees the wristband as being an important factor in assisting families navigate the frightening experience. The company doesn’t see the product just being used for individuals with disabilities, but for everyone who may need an extra layer of safety, including elderly people. The company envisions the wristband being integrated into the healthcare and frontline sector, providing police officers, firefighters and other healthcare professionals with needed information to complete their job.

“We’re not just looking to create a safe space for the person wearing the wristband or the caregiver… but it’s also about empowering, connecting and protecting those who serve us as well,” said Bailey, the head of product development and quality assurance.

None of the information fields are required, the company stressed, each user chooses how much information to share, as it will be available to anyone who scans the QR code. Additionally, written information, photos and documents can be uploaded.

“We want the caregivers who have purchased the device to feel that they have a community surrounding them, that they are not alone in any crisis,” said Susan Tipton, head of operations and supply chain. “Hopefully, the best case is they’ve really just bought a peace of mind and that that it never has to be utilized, but if it does, it’s nice to know that in your moment of panic, anxiety and emotion, you know that you have people in your corner that are helping you solve your problem …”

InfoMate wristbands are available in seven watercolor styles ranging from lime green to canary yellow. The tracker is compatible with Apple and Android products.

Bailey considers Lana the co-CEO of the company due to her heavy involvement in the production process of both their first product, the imagination book with five stories written by Lana, and the InfoMate wristband. Lana was involved in the color combination selection of the bands and the placement of the logo.

Keeping Lana involved, Bailey said, is important for the company as it was her idea to create a brand.

A portion of the proceeds earned from Zigglebee are donated to Laila’s Gift, a nonprofit organization that throws celebrations for young children with disabilities. The work done within the nonprofit is inspired by Laila and the family’s journey navigating her condition. When Laila was born, doctors did not believe she would live past age two. Laila will be turning 11 this year.

“It’s about celebrating the grit, the resilience of the families, because each year is not promised,” Bailey said.

Have a news tip? Contact Shaela Foster at sfoster@baltsun.com or 443-826-5894.