Eagan's Sona Mehring Connects Hearts Through Keyboards

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct Brighid's last name. It is Swanson.

JoAnn Hardegger's first pregnancy went terribly wrong.

She was hospitalized in early June of 1997 with HELLP Syndrome -- a life-threatening, pregnancy-induced toxemia. Confined to a darkened room, she was allowed no stimulation -- no phone, no television, no radio, and no visitors except her husband Darrin.

After a few days, the only way to save JoAnn's life -- and that of her 24-week-old daughter -- was to deliver the baby. On June 7, 1997 Brighid Swanson came into the world almost three months too soon.

On that same day, the first CaringBridge website came into being.

Brighid's life lasted only nine days. But today, her namesake CaringBridge is a robust 14-year-old.

SUPPORT, INFORMATION

Exhausted and overwhelmed by their difficult situation 14 years ago, the couple enlisted the help of their friend, Sona Mehring to be a clearinghouse for information.

JoAnn remained confined to bed for three agonizing days after little Brighid was born. Darrin would give Mehring reports each day on the conditions of his sick wife and fragile child.

Mehring did what came naturally: she a created a website. Family and friends were able to stay informed and also could leave messages.  

Those messages meant the world to JoAnn Hardegger. Messages like, "you are stuck in this room by yourself. . . I didn’t realize all those people were out there supporting me; didn’t realize they were thinking about me. I don’t even know how to describe how that feels."

Mehring describes that experience as a "wow event" saying, "at first it was a personal need. But it was an eye-opening event about how powerful it could be."

Merhring thought, "this should be a service that everyone could use." 

CHANGING THE WORLD

Sona Mehring didn't start out to change the world. She began her college career in the nursing program and graduated with a computer science degree.

Mehring's first job brought her to Eagan 26 years ago. After a few years working at Unisys, Mehring left to follow her passion for connecting information around the world and building websites for businesses.

At first a side project, in 2002 Mehring decided it was time to dedicate herself to CaringBridge and she "hasn't looked back since then."

CaringBrige reports that every day more than half a million people connect on the free, personal, private websites. To date, more than a billion visits have been made from all over the world. 

Mehring isn't surprised by the growth. "I saw how powerful it was and knew it could help so many people," she said.

"Personally, as I look back, it's been a fantastic journey for the last 14 years, being able to combine technology with the ability to help people." Mehring thinks technology has gotten a "bum rap" as being impersonal, but "to be able to use it to connect people on such a deep and personal level is rewarding. It's connecting hearts through keyboards."

'DEEPER CONVERSATIONS'

Hardegger describes Mehring as "a go-getter and filled with passion" who loves what she does.  

"She is a visionary and so positive and so full of energy," Hardegger says. "I knew if anyone would bring it to where it is now it would be her."

She also credits her daughter. "In her short life, Brighid made more of a difference in the world than many people make in their entire lifetimes," she says. "We lost a child and that impacts you for all of your life, but I still believe she watches over CaringBridge and helps Sona steer it. We would love to have Brighid with us but, if we can't, we'll take CaringBridge." 

Mehring agreed. "We consider this Brighid's legacy," she said.

Looking towards the future, Mehring says there is a broad continuum around health that CaringBridge can tap into and help people who need to communicate and connect.

She has watched the rise of social media with interest and believes Facebook is a much different conversation than CaringBridge. "Facebook is for small talk," Mehring says, "CaringBridge is where the deeper conversations happen."