David Shutt was a naval commander and champion until he was diagnosed with cancer. Struggling to keep a job that allowed him flexibility for his treatments and a decent income, Shutts felt defeated, recalling "it was at this point that I really became aware of the true value of work and just how much it offers in terms of self-worth, self-esteem, social interaction."

Thus, Shutt met up with a former colleague from the Navy to brainstorm a way for of exploiting the talent pool of people with long-term, chronic illnesses -- and so Astriid was born, an online tool that matches individuals with businesses that can use their skills for paid or unpaid work, with flexible schedules.

Shutts used the website himself and found a two-day-a-week-job, finally filling the void that had been there ever since the diagnosis. "There wasn't much money in it but it didn't matter. It was all about the value of work - something to get you up in the morning, a reason to shave. When people asked what I did I could say, 'I'm at teacher,' and that was very important at the time. I felt like I had a role again in life and I was very proud to do it."

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