With a little help from my friends: experiences of building a virtual community for children with cancer

Abstract

Approximately 31% of children under 18 years of age have a chronic physical illness or condition. Challenges that impact a child’s ability to cope socially, emotionally, and or physically are often referred to as ‘psychosocial’ challenges and include isolation, change in family dynamics, and loss of social interaction with peers.  Virtual communities
provide an efficient and effective means of supporting children who are vulnerable to psychosocial difficulties associated with chronic illnesses.  This paper presents the experiences of developing one such community
entitled Solas for children with cancer.  Solas aims to counteract the social isolation experienced by these children through the use of innovative technology giving them a sense of community and of belonging.
(www.tcd.ie/solas)