Safety is not just an idea to me—it is a matter of survival.
When I first launched WanderSafe, our mission was clear: to empower women, solo travelers, and remote workers to navigate the world with confidence. We built an award-winning ecosystem, combining a smart application with the physical WanderSafe Beacon accessory. We were reaching 57 countries, aiming to positively impact one billion lives by 2025.
Then, the unimaginable happened.
The Four-Year Hibernation
In September 2019, while traveling on business, I was bitten by a mosquito. Weeks later, I collapsed and fell into a coma. I was diagnosed with cerebral malaria—the most severe and deadly form of the disease.
I spent over a week in a coma, received last rites on multiple occasions, and endured a year and a half of hospitalization during the height of a global pandemic. Reduced blood flow caused severe necrosis, ultimately leading to 47 surgical operations and the amputation of both my feet.
During this fight for my life, WanderSafe entered a period of hibernation. But the mission never died. In fact, fighting so hard simply to survive deepened my understanding of vulnerability.
Returning with Purpose
Today, as Australia’s first bilateral osseointegrated female amputee, I am proud to announce the formal relaunch of the WanderSafe platform.
Our comeback isn’t just about returning to market; it is about bringing enhanced, battle-tested solutions to a world that needs them more than ever. The WanderSafe ecosystem—featuring our virtual safety concierge, JENI, and the redesigned WanderSafe Beacon—gives you the tools to discreetly alert loved ones, understand the risk of your surroundings, and reclaim your agency.
What is WanderSafe?
WanderSafe is a non-violent, integrated personal safety solution. It combines: The WanderSafe App*: Your virtual safety companion delivering location-based intelligence and rapid SOS connectivity. The WanderSafe Beacon (and Shakti)*: Smart hardware featuring a 140db siren, high-lumen strobe, and a silent SOS button that geo-locates you to your trusted contacts.
If you believe that everyone has the right to travel without fear, join us. [Download the WanderSafe App](/download) today, or contact us to bring our [Enterprise Solutions](/contact?type=enterprise) to your workforce.
We are back. And we are just getting started.
Sources: Moodie Davitt Report. "Stephenie Rodriguez’s miraculous journey." MoodieDavittReport.com*, 2023. The Global Fund. "Our Champions: Stephenie Rodriguez." TheGlobalFund.org*, 2024. TEDx. "How I met my best friend | Stephenie Rodriguez." YouTube*, 2022.
Stay safe. Stay informed. Stay connected.