OUR VALUES

As a team and a campaign, we aim to live by the following values:

Compassion

We approach patients, carers, and families with empathy, dignity, and humanity. We recognise and have experienced ourselves the profound emotional, psychological, relational, and financial impact dopamine agonist side-effects can have on individuals and those around them.

We believe people affected by these conditions deserve to be listened to, supported, and treated with compassion and respect rather than scepticism, dismissal, or blame.

Non-judgement

As a team we’ve heard and seen it all. There isn’t anything that will shock us.

Whilst we do not believe people who have experienced impulsive behaviours or other side-effects associated with dopamine agonists have anything to be ashamed of, we recognise the shame, secrecy and self-blame many individuals and families experience.

Many people find it difficult to imagine losing control in this way. We don't. We recognise these side-effects affect people from all backgrounds, ages and walks of life. They are not a reflection of intelligence, character, morality or willpower. The damage they cause can happen to anyone.

We are committed to challenging the stigma associated with these side-effects and behaviours, and to creating a safe environment where people feel able to speak freely without fear of judgement.

We encourage open dialogue while also respecting privacy, anonymity and personal boundaries.

Integrity

We are committed to honest, evidence-informed advocacy grounded in lived experience, research, and transparency. We aim to engage constructively and responsibly with patients, clinicians, researchers, regulators, policymakers, and the wider public.

We recognise that dopamine agonists can provide meaningful benefits for some patients, and that treatment decisions often involve complex trade-offs. Our aim is not to persuade, but to inform - so that patients and families can make fully informed decisions with their eyes open.

We believe meaningful change depends upon openness, accuracy, accountability, and a willingness to confront difficult realities honestly and thoughtfully.

Tenacity

We are committed to sustained campaigning, meaningful change, and achieving our aims and objectives. We understand that change does not happen overnight, particularly where stigma, lack of awareness, and institutional inertia exist.

We are prepared for the long haul and remain committed to improving awareness, understanding, patient safety, and accountability through persistent, constructive, and evidence-informed advocacy.