For over twenty years, A.W. Fernandez has cared for his younger brother who lives with schizophrenia. When his brother’s speech fades due to a symptom called alogia, Fernandez turns to a calming ritual — hiking together in the mountains, using nature to gently pull his brother’s focus outward and reignite conversation.
- Alogia causes reduced speech, impacting communication severely.
- Hiking helps reengage attention on nature, easing negative symptoms.
- Their TikTok channel shares honest moments of mental health and family love.
What happened
A.W. Fernandez has devoted two decades to supporting his younger brother who lives with schizophrenia. One challenging symptom his brother experiences is alogia, also known as poverty of speech, where the ability to communicate diminishes until very few words are spoken. This silence is not due to anger or sadness, but a deep neurological barrier making speech difficult.
When the brother’s words disappear during these episodes, Fernandez doesn't push him to talk. Instead, he initiates a simple yet profound ritual by taking him hiking in the nearby mountains. On these walks, they engage with the natural world — spotting plants, observing small details, and playing gentle games — which helps shift his brother’s focus away from internal struggles toward the present moment.
Why it feels good
Nature offers a calming, grounding space that allows the brother to feel safe and mentally present. The hike gently reduces the pressure to perform socially, enabling a natural easing of symptoms. As A.W. observes, moments once marked by silence slowly give way to curiosity and interaction, such as spontaneous questions about the environment or sharing smiles over discoveries along the trail.
These small shifts are deeply meaningful because alogia strips away not only speech but motivation and engagement. By focusing on the tangible world and shared experiences, the hiking ritual rekindles a sense of connection and agency for his brother. It highlights how compassionate patience and creativity in caregiving can reclaim pockets of life from the heavy challenges of mental illness.
What to enjoy or watch next
The brothers have shared their journey on TikTok through the channel @awfernandez, reaching over 258,000 followers who resonate with their honest depiction of the struggles and love woven into daily life with schizophrenia. Their videos blend emotional openness with moments of hope, helping reduce stigma and foster understanding around mental health.
For those interested in learning more or looking for gentle inspiration, following their social media will offer continued glimpses into their bond and inventive approaches to adversity. Their story reminds us all that even in silence, love finds ways to speak — sometimes through a shared trail, a fresh flower, or the simple act of slowing down together.