Moving Mountains
for Neurological Diseases
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Mother of Anonymous
Also known as "Moa"
Moas are the mothers, parents, caretakers, loved ones of those who live with a neurological disease that causes psychosis.
Anyone can be a Moa. and millions of Moas live in communities across the globe.
Are you a Moa who has something to share with the community? Please send us an email!
Email:
Where did this name come from?
I recall my son during a period of acute psychosis and extreme paranoia, asking me to stop using his name or calling him by his first name in front of people. I asked him, "What would you like me to call you instead?" And he replied, "Anonymous 528". I looked at him and said, "Okay, well then that makes me the Mother of Anonymous 528". When I told him this he smiled and it was the first time I had seen him smile in months.
I remember reflecting later on that conversation and thinking how appropriate 'Mother of Anonymous' was as a label for caretakers, loved ones, and friends of individuals who experience an illness that causes psychosis.
The Voice of Moa
The voice of Moa is used to represent the stories, questions, comments, ideas, and concerns of Moas and their loved ones and allow for privacy and confidentiality at the same time. The Voice of Moa is a consolidated voice of many, so it may not always sync but instead will offer a broader body of knowledge and experiences.
As a mother and caretaker, the greatest misstep I have seen too many times is the refusal of others to listen and find value in the voices of mothers, caretakers, and the patients themselves. I have learned the most from these individuals and I am forever grateful because I believe it was their knowledge, experience, and information that made my own son's journey a much better one. But people are often afraid to talk about their situation with others or the things they've experienced. The Voice of Moa allows anonymity so we can ask the hard questions and share our real experiences.
Everyone's journey is different and every human being is unique. Add this to a complex illness that has over a hundred years of misinformation, mistreatment, and stigma attached, and it makes for an extremely big challenge. It can take a long time to get the information you think is best and filter through the competing views. We make our best effort to consolidate the biggest patterns of what has worked for others and useful information, while providing a wider body of knowledge that you can search for specific topics or questions. Our hope is this will accelerate and improve treatment and care for your loved one.
Goals and Values
Friends of Moa provides these goals and values to help our community in finding a more successful and positive outcome as we do the important work of "moving mountains" for neurological diseases.
Our Goal
To grow hope, support and a community of friends for those who care for and those who experience serious neurological diseases that cause psychosis.
Our Values
1- Treat others with kindness and respect no matter how difficult the situation.
2- Acknowledge that each individual and their journey is unique.
3- Be a better listener and embrace the power that it brings as a support to others and as a door that allows us to deepen our understanding.
4- Be a friend before you are anything else.
6- Do not be afraid. You may experience some moments that can be described as traumatic, scary, hopeless, frustrating, etc. Have the courage to find the best solutions you can and minimize the negative pieces of these situations.
7- Sharing is caring when it comes to things you've learned and experienced, that can be helpful for others. It is not caring when it is gossip or you are not respecting someone's request for privacy.
8- Give yourself and others grace when things don't go perfectly. We are all human beings and flawed many times in our thinking, actions, or words. Give grace as much as possible.
Our Medical Disclaimer
The content provided on the Friends of Moa website, including any links to third-party websites, is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any health-related information presented.
Always consult a qualified healthcare professional and/or your psychiatrist before making decisions related to your health or medical condition. Reliance on any information provided by this website or linked resources is strictly at your own risk.