Our Story

MomsWithMS.com was created after realizing the need. Women, diagnosed with multiple sclerosis 3-2x as often as men, typically get diagnosed with multiple sclerosis between ages 20-40 (more info). This is also the fertile years of a woman's life when we are either having babies, trying to have babies or actively trying NOT to have babies. This raises questions about if they want babies, and even more about the prescriptions and if it is ok to take them while pregnant/nursing etc. Up until this site was created there was not place for moms to discuss sensitive issues typically not discussed in mixed company to share their experiences and get support from each other.

Since the launch over 700 moms diagnosed with multiple sclerosis have joined the site from all over the world. We have been mentioned 2 times in national publications and also 2 times in local publications (Press page here). Since launch I have been getting testimonials like the following on a regular basis:

"Having MS was confusing and frustrating.  When I was rushed to the hospital for the second time, after my myriad of questions, my doctor said, "This is the weirdest disease."  Therefore, the fact that Kristin created Moms with MS is astounding.  Having children to me is the most important adventure I have undertaken.  To have something such as MS hold me back is disheartening.  However, to be able to go to a site where others are confronted with the same obstacles is a blessing and I have Kristin to thank for it.

Sincerely and Wholeheartedly,

A.C." (mom with ms)

Soon after launching the site I found that not just moms but the husbands, kids, siblings and parents of some of the moms were attempting to join the site. To maintain the privacy of members, these kind hearted people were turned away. At one point a 'sister' site that was called something like "She has MS" to let these people connect but it was not as successful, I dropped that project and focused on supporting the site for moms.

Eventually the solution to this issue was found, an affiliated public site with a blog of stories and news written by moms with MS, fundraiser information, press, links to resources, and more was created MomsWithMS.org. We are also a national team for the NMSS Walk and Bike events, raising in excess of $20,000 in our first year (2010) and almost $25,000 this year, and so having a site to refer donors to became even more important.

So here we are now, and we have a thriving online community at MomsWithMS.com with over 700 moms, connected in this journey of raising our kids while dealing with this unpredictable diagnosis. This part of this whole effort is almost completely hidden from public view.

We also have the public site, which most of the moms aren't really a part of that talks about achievements and how great the site and community are but isn't actually connected to THE community that started it all.

What we need is to integrate the two sites into one.

This campaign is to make this possible.

The Impact YOU Will Make!!

• Moms with MS looking for connection and anyone looking to understand or support them can come to the same site for information.  

  • No more moms signing up at the public site thinking it's private or family members applying to the private site and getting a rejection for not being a mom with MS, one single place to sign on that gets them whatever access and information appropriate to them.

• More easily accessible posting methods to contribute to the public part of the site.

  • No more requiring moms who want to contribute to learn/remember multiple posting methods or logins to share a story publicly vs privately.

• More time to spend promoting the site and spreading awareness so that other moms with ms who are going through these challenges alone can find the site and get support.

  • Less time rejecting non-moms and explaining that it is just for moms but they can go to this other site, and less time confusing moms who are looking for this thriving community but end up just signing up to be able to post comments or get information. 

• More time to be able to look into the benefits of becoming at some point more than a site, but an actual non-profit or mission based B-corporation that provides more than community for members.

• Improved SEO

  • The two sites will no longer be competing when someone does a search for "moms with ms" and the high rankings will go even higher. 

• Kristin (I) will be able to finish up with writing a retrospective covering the why and how of creating and promoting the community in the first place to educate people who find a similar niche in need of representation have the information they need to make it happen (will be available in both digital and paper formats).

• Once CiviCRM releases the wordpress version of their application better communication with members, donors, readers, and more will be possible.

What You Get

In addition to the perks listed on the side you will also get the satisfaction of knowing that you improved the lives of hundreds, hopefully soon thousands of people who are looking for the peer support they need in their journey of life as a mom with multiple sclerosis.

Other Ways You Can Help

You can help us by spreading the word that we exist I find that most people know someone affected by this disease even if they don't talk about it.

• Spreading word about this campaign 

• RT our updates as you see them on Twitter  @momswithms

• If there are events in your area to fight this disease, you can participate in the events, you can even do it by registering your team under our national "Moms With MS" team to help raise awareness.

I welcome business mentors who can provide informed recommendations for how to better promote/establish the project into a non-profit or mission based/B corporation to enable even bigger projects to support the needs of the moms who need it.