Saving Moraea

Summer 2019


The Backstory
Moraea is a vivacious, fun, and talented 18-year-old young woman. Just recently she posted a self-made music video to her Instagram complete with makeup and costume changes, homemade jewelry, video editing, and choreographed dance moves. She was smiling, laughing, and acting silly for her Instagram followers. One week later she attempted to take her own life. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the first time. Moraea’s young life has been riddled with tumultuous despair. She struggles with a mix of severe and drug-resistant mental health disorders and has attempted suicide 4 times and been in 11 mental hospitals over the last 3 years.  We, her family, are desperate to get her the care she needs to be healthy and happy and are pleading for your help. If Moraea doesn't get the treatment she needs, it's very unlikely she'll live long enough to see her next birthday. 

Moraea and her therapy rescue dog, Truffle (2019)


We have sadly experienced a lot of loss in our family. Moraea’s mother and I along with our five other sisters lost our mother to a very rare cancer at a young age. She was gone within six months of diagnosis leaving behind seven little girls ages 2 to 14. We lost our eldest sister just prior to her 36th birthday because of a reckless driver. She left behind two young boys who had to go through the same pain we did losing their mother at a young age. Unfortunately, mental health problems run deep in our family as well. It has claimed the lives of two great aunts, our 15-year-old cousin, and 21-year-old brother. There has been too much loss, too much pain, and too much suffering in our family. We cannot let Moraea, my sister’s only child, be another loss, another victim to mental health. With your help, we can save Moraea’s young, beautiful life.

Photo:  Spending a few days with so her mom could work – about two weeks before her first suicide attempt (2017)


The Problem
Moraea is now receiving a treatment that doctors refer to as the ‘treatment of last resort.’  It's called Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), an intensive treatment that requires Moraea to go under anesthesia several times a week while she's essentially being electrocuted. Although this isn’t the same scary shock therapy from “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”, the side effects are still severe and patients receiving treatment need constant supervision. However, it has an 80% success rate and we are incredibly hopeful. This is our last resort. 

Photo: Moraea giving  thumbs up for her vegan shake. A place I promised to take her once she was released from Seattle Children's (2017)


Unfortunately, due to the side effects and suicide risk, Moraea requires around the clock care for the next three to six months. Her mom, my sister, is a single income provider whose current living is driving for Lyft. She drives as much as she can but it's not enough. Moraea isn't allowed in the car with her when she drives so she can only drive when family and friends can supervise her; and there isn’t enough money to afford professional outside care. If she can’t find care for Moraea she can’t drive, and if she can’t drive, she can’t make money to continue her life-saving treatments.

Photo:  Redwoods, CA with her mom and Truffle on their drive home following her discharge from an intensive, inpatient care facility hospital located in Reno, NV (2018)


How You Can Help
Although my sister is currently pursuing social security and other programs that may help them, as it stands now, she won't be able to make this coming month's rent.  Our family will continue to help the best we can as we have been for the last three years, but it’s now necessary to plead for outside help. Your donations will go directly to the care of Moraea including gas to get her to and from doctors, out-of-pocket medical expenses, food for their family and Moraea’s suicide prevention dog, and housing. 

Visiting Moraea at Seattle Children's Hospital (2017)


ANY donation helps, no matter the dollar amount. I don’t know anyone who can stretch a dollar like my sister can; no matter how small the donation she will utilize every single cent to make the biggest difference for Moraea. We feel so hopeful in this ECT treatment; we just need to make it through the next few months. If you are able to help out monetarily or by sharing Moraea’s story you will be saving a young girl’s life. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for teenagers and we won’t let Moraea get added to that statistic. Help us save this teenager so she can live long enough to see how amazing and wonderful life can be. Thank you so much for listening to our story; we appreciate and are grateful to all of you who are able to donate.


Camera Roll Photos with Moraea at Various Ages
Mexico with her mom before it all started (2016)

Being silly in her backyard (2014)

Mad Hatter Garden Party (2015)

Disneyland (2016)

Moraea with her maternal Grandpa – Olive Garden  (2015)

Spending time with her mom on a day pass, Reno, NV  (2018)

Listening to the waiter recite the day's specials – Olive Garden  (2018)

At home in her backyard (2017)

Off to the game to cheer for their favorite men – #Gohawks (2017)

Cascade Rose Alpacas – Farm in Snoqualmie  (2019)

Inside her room at the a Reno, NV treatment facility  (2018)

Burroughs Mtn. Trail – Mt. Rainier hike with her cousin (2015)

Moraea and her Auntie Laura many moons ago.


Regional Convention – Tacoma Dome with me, her aunt Janaea, uncle Mark, and cousin Alexis (2016)
Being silly on a break to stretch their legs on their drive home to Wash. following her discharge from Reno, NV hospital  (2018)
Day Pass to see her mom's temporary digs while she received inpatient care – Ronald Mcdonald House, Reno, NV (2018)
First day of Kindergarten – Woodinville, WA (2008)

Argosy Cruise wedding photo booth (left to right): Celeste, Moraea, her Aunt Laura, cousin Jacqueline, and aunt Janaea) – Seattle, WA (2013)
Day hike with her aunties (me and Janaea) - Poo Poo Point Trailhead (2016)

Christian gathering with her Aunt Janaea  (2017)

Olive Garden with our youngest sister, her Aunt Genessa (2015) 

Post hospital discharge with me at a home inspection (2017)

Mariners game  (2018)

Moraea at the game – #gohawks (2016)