Conversations with Michael Kane

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Kane

Hi Michael , thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’m Michael Kane, a self-taught developer whose path into tech began with a single decision: to rebuild my life after years of health challenges. In my early twenties, I was diagnosed with Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP), a rare autoimmune disorder that led to paralysis and required almost a decade of intensive IVIG treatments. As my health began to improve, I found myself ready to start fresh—and I chose to dive into coding.

Learning to code became my passion and purpose. With no prior experience, I spent over a year immersed in books, tutorials, and projects, devouring everything I could find on programming. Every day, I pushed myself to understand new concepts and build something meaningful. Finally, after countless hours of study and practice, I landed an internship at Connectify Inc., working on Speedify, a product designed to optimize internet connectivity.

That role became the foundation of my career, giving me hands-on experience, real-world problem-solving skills, and the confidence to take on ambitious projects. In 2020, I released ChristmasPrism, an app that helps communities come together by finding and sharing holiday light displays. Following its success, I launched FrightMaps in 2022, connecting Halloween enthusiasts to haunted houses and spooky displays. Both apps have gained dedicated users and brought people closer through shared experiences.

The journey from learning to code to building apps that foster community has been transformative. Today, I’m passionate about using technology to connect people, creating innovative experiences, and continuing to push what’s possible in app development.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s been anything but a smooth road. Living with CIDP (Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy) has been one of the hardest challenges I could imagine. CIDP is a rare autoimmune disorder that attacks the peripheral nervous system, leading to progressive muscle weakness, numbness, and, in severe cases like mine, paralysis. I was diagnosed at 21, and within months, I went from being an active young adult to someone who couldn’t move. It felt surreal and terrifying. CIDP is often compared to multiple sclerosis because they both involve the body attacking the nerves, but with CIDP, the symptoms can be unpredictable and incredibly aggressive.

For nearly a decade, my life revolved around treatments and recovery. I went through rounds of IVIG therapy, a plasma treatment that temporarily calms the immune system. Each session could last hours, and I’d often feel drained for days afterward. Even then, the treatments were no guarantee that my symptoms wouldn’t return. The paralysis, the chronic fatigue, the dependence on others for even basic tasks—it was mentally exhausting as much as it was physically challenging. For years, I wasn’t sure if I’d ever get back to a “normal” life.

When I finally regained enough mobility, I found myself feeling adrift, with a renewed sense of purpose but without a clear direction. That’s when I decided to learn programming. It wasn’t a smooth or easy path. I had no formal background in tech, so I relied on books, online tutorials, and endless experimentation. I’d spend whole days struggling to understand a single concept, often feeling out of my depth. I can still remember the frustration of debugging code late into the night, only to realize I’d missed something small.

Despite the frustrations, coding was also liberating. It gave me a way to reclaim my independence, build something meaningful, and reestablish myself after years of feeling sidelined. Eventually, after a year of relentless learning, I landed an internship at Connectify, where I worked on Speedify. That was a breakthrough moment. It wasn’t just a job; it was the culmination of years of struggle, and a sign that I could still achieve something despite everything I’d been through. The internship gave me real-world experience, solid mentorship, and a place where I could finally put my skills to the test.

Yet, even as I worked to build a career, CIDP never completely disappeared. I still face random bouts of fatigue, and the lingering worry of relapse. There are days when I have to work at half-speed or rest entirely, and other times when I struggle to balance health needs with professional goals. But what I’ve learned along the way is resilience—the ability to keep going, even when the path is anything but straightforward.

Creating ChristmasPrism and FrightMaps has been about more than just apps; it’s been about building something meaningful, something that connects people, and something that shows me just how far I’ve come. I’ve learned to appreciate each milestone, knowing how much effort, resilience, and hope it took to get there. My journey is a constant reminder that no road worth traveling is ever truly smooth, but the destination is all the more rewarding for it.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m incredibly proud of how FrightMaps has evolved from a simple idea to a thriving community. Hearing from users who have built new Halloween traditions with their families or met new friends through the app reminds me of why I started it. Building a community-driven app requires constant updates, user feedback, and a sense of where to go next, which is both challenging and rewarding.

Looking forward, I’m excited about several new projects within FrightMaps that I believe will take the app to the next level. One of these projects is FrightLink, an innovative Bluetooth-enabled feature that I’m developing for Halloween animatronics and decorations. Using ESP32 technology, FrightLink will allow users to control or even trigger animatronics remotely via the app, adding a new interactive layer to the Halloween experience. This feature is something I haven’t seen in similar platforms and will give users a unique way to engage with their displays and entertain visitors.

Another project I’m developing is the FrightMaps Magazine, a seasonal publication featuring highlights from the Halloween community, DIY haunt setup guides, and special product spotlights. The magazine will allow for a deeper connection with users and a way to share valuable, engaging content beyond the app. I envision it as a quarterly release, possibly available in retail locations like Spirit Halloween, allowing users to stay connected and inspired as they plan and execute their Halloween displays.

I’m also expanding our community features within the app. Right now, users can vote in contests, level up with likes, and chat, but I’m exploring the idea of adding a forum or message board for more interaction. The goal is to make FrightMaps a place where Halloween enthusiasts can share tips, get feedback on their displays, and learn from each other year-round. I want FrightMaps to be more than just an app; I want it to be a community where Halloween lovers feel at home.

My approach to FrightMaps is shaped by my own journey and a deep understanding of the value of community. With a background in overcoming personal challenges and teaching myself to code, I know how much connection and creativity can mean, especially when they’re accessible to all. I’m driven to keep pushing what FrightMaps can offer, making it more interactive, community-focused, and impactful for its users. I want FrightMaps to be a place where people can celebrate Halloween in new, exciting ways and, ultimately, where they can connect with others who share their passion for the season.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I was the definition of all-in. I was the hustler, the joker, and the guy who believed that with enough heart and hustle, anything was possible. No matter what challenges came my way, I knew if I worked hard and gave it everything I had, I could make it happen. I moved around a lot, so I learned early on to adapt, find my footing, and make connections wherever I went.

My world revolved around sports, horror movies, and rap music. Listening to artists like Tupac Shakur inspired me beyond the beats—he made me see that you could come from any background and still rise above, make an impact, and help others. I wanted to live with that same energy, giving my all in everything I did. People used to say I lived like I was in a movie or a music video, and honestly, that felt right because I’ve always believed life should be lived full out. I live with this unshakeable belief that any problem is solvable, any goal is achievable, and every person has something good to offer if you’re open enough to see it.

That mindset and energy have shaped me into who I am today: someone who’s never afraid to go big, take risks, and keep pushing forward.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.frightmaps.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mike.kane.official/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/@frightmaps
• Twitter: https://x.com/frightmaps
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv_BVDCSa8qfPzTmBcs5SeQ