Stop Using OCD as an Adjective or Figure of Speech

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is not being a person who prefers organization and order, and the initials OCD should not be used as an adjective or figure of speech conveying those character traits. OCD is a serious anxiety disorder that can cause severe distress and it can impair one’s ability to function in life.

All people can become obsessive or compulsive about certain things, your desk needs to be exactly so, you have to check all your doors before leaving the house, you like to have things in your kitchen in a specific way; you may not be able to explain why you started these habits or why you continue, but you feel an unexplainable need to do so. These obsessions or compulsions are part of everyone’s life, although they differ from person to person. However, for those with OCD, the D standing for Disorder, these obsessions and compulsions begin to take over your daily life, creating an environment where obsessions and compulsions that were once normal begin escalate into abnormal proportions.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder affects millions on a daily basis. For some, every second of every day is affected by this disorder. It is not a figure of speech to them, it is not a phrase to use when someone demands organization or demonstrates a need for tidiness, it is a daily struggle that affects their ability to work, have relationships, and live life.

This disorder is already misunderstood by the general public, and using this acronym for people who have anal retentive qualities waters down the seriousness of this disorder while putting a false definition in people’s minds. You are taking away the severity of the disorder when it is used as a phrase. This is a serious disorder worthy of proper education and respect. Using the phrase may seem like fun but it has unintentional consequences. Using this phrase can invalidate a person’s experience with this debilitating disorder.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a serious medical condition. Would you use other health issues in such a light hearted way? “I’m so Cancer”, “I’m so HIV”? I would hope not. Mental illnesses like OCD should be no different. So, please, the next time you think to use this phrase as an adjective, stop and consider those whose lives are severely impacted by this disorder and pick a different phrase.

 

Photo from Western Orientations Language Awareness Campaign (www.facebook.com/Western-Orientations-Language-Awareness-Campaign-758119224311404/)

 

BC Liberals, Stop this Attack on People with Disabilties

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When I saw this quote I couldn’t help but think of the BC Liberals. People with disabilities are currently being attacked by the very people who were voted in to look after our interests. Taking a program that works, the bus pass program, and making it almost 14x more expensive (from $45 a year to $669 a year) for a group of people who live under the poverty line and cannot currently afford food, housing, medications, medical needs, therapies and/or adaptive equipment, etc. is an attack, make no mistake about it!
 
The Liberals say they want to make the system more equitable for those who live in communities where the bus pass and/or transportation subsidy cannot be used. However, instead of making it more equitable by looking for solutions in these communities or helping people in those communities with additional resources, they have made the system more equitable by making it harder for more people across BC to access transportation and all that transportation means to people with disabilities: independence, access to medical appointments, ability to do errands, have a personal life, become employed, and/or participate in their community. This is not the equity people with disabilities were looking for. And this is an attack on the fundamental right of people with disabilities to not be isolated through government policy. We thought we had, as a society, come further than that.
 
The BC Liberals have previously announced they want BC to be the most progressive province in Canada for people with disabilities, but this is most definitely a step back in time. If they want to be the most progressive province for people with disabilities start with an apology for this mean-spirited change, revert the bus pass program back to $45 a year, increase the rate to properly reflect the lack of a raise for nine years plus the current cost of living and help those in communities who can’t access transportation through the bus pass or transportation subsidy programs. There are advocates and organizations who are waiting and willing to work with the province to correct this mistake. BC Liberals, recognize the mistake that was made and work with us to move forward. Stop this attack on people with disabilities!
(Quote in photograph: Attacking people with disabilities is the lowest display of power I can think of. Morgan Freeman)

People with Disabilities Bullied by New Liberal Policy

It is highly hypocritical of the Liberal government to promote working towards an end to bullying today, on Pink Shirt Day, while systematically bullying and oppressing people with disabilities. Cancelling the $45 annual bus pass cost and forcing people who live under the poverty line to pay $669 annually ($52 per month plus $45 administration fee) is bullying. Keeping the annual $45 bus pass for seniors but cancelling it for people with disabilities is bullying (especially as the Liberals are touting the change as equitable). Telling people with disabilities that the so-called increase is theirs to choose how to use, while forcing a new $52 a monthly transit fee is bullying. When one has to already choose between housing, medication, medical costs and groceries, adding an unfair burden like transit fees raised by 14x in one fell swoop is bullying. Knowing that some people with disabilities will choose to use their so-called increase on food, rent, meds or medial needs instead of transit, leading to increased isolation and depression for people with disabilities is bullying. Wear your pink shirt if you want today, but know that the disability community and supporters know you wear it while systematically bullying and oppressing people with disabilities. Shame on you!