Photo Courtesy to OCD Texas Instagram
It took 15 years for Gabbi McGivern, co-chair for OCD Walk, to be diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder at 21 years old, a mental obstacle she struggled with since childhood, a common diagnostic issue for many individuals with OCD in the United States.
About five years ago, McGivern began sharing her struggles with OCD on social media. That’s when she discovered the OCD Texas chapter on Instagram and noticed the fundraising walk on their Instagram and Facebook pages. She noticed the walks were happening in San Antonio, Houston, and Austin but not in Dallas.
McGivern saw an opportunity to make an impact and bring OCD awareness to Dallas.
For the first time in years, OCD Texas will have the One Million Steps for OCD Walk in Dallas. The event will take place Saturday, Sep. 30 at Reverchon Park on the Katy Trail at 9 AM.
The OCD Walk is co-hosted by the International OCD Foundation. The One Million Steps for OCD Walk is the nation’s largest awareness-building fundraiser for the mental health disorder.
Dallas is taking the nation by storm with 93 registered to walk the trail. This is the largest number any city participating in the OCD walk has seen. On average most cities that do the fundraiser see roughly 30 people.
Obsessive compulsive disorder is largely under-researched, misinterpreted, and overlooked, the walk is important to help spread awareness and break some of the stigma surrounding OCD.
“At the end of the day, my goal in this life is just to spread awareness of what OCD is,” she said.
No one should have to go 15 years not understanding what is happening inside their head, she said. Some of the stigmas are that OCD is just extreme organization, but it’s far different than that. Every day feels like your worst thoughts and fears are on repeat, leading to compulsive decisions.
According to the International OCD Foundation, 1 in 100 adults are diagnosed with OCD, and at least 1 in 200 kids and teens are estimated to have OCD in the United States.
The World Health Organization (WHO) ranked OCD as one of the top ten of the most disabling illnesses of any kind in terms of lost earnings and diminished quality of life.
The IOCDF is the worlds largest non-profit organization focused on improving the lives of those impacted by OCD and related disorders. OCD Texas is an official non-profit affiliate of the IOCDF. The goal is to further IOCDF mission in Texas to ensure that no one affected by OCD and related disorders suffers alone. The annual One Million Steps for OCD Walk is vital to supporting these programs, and raising much-needed awareness.
These programs aim to drive change through advocacy, education, research, and resources for OCD and related disorders.
“We are dedicated to bringing together OCD sufferers, their families and friends, researchers and treating professionals across Texas, to educate the public, improve access to resources, and advocate for the OCD community,” OCD Texas said in a press release.
OCD Texas invites all community members to join the Dallas OCD Walk this September 30 at Reverchon Park to raise awareness, funds, and hope.
If people can’t make the walk, there are still ways to contribute to the foundation. People can donate to the overall event to help the walkers reach their overall goal or sign up for the grassroots Community Walk to get their fundraising page and T-shirt to walk around in their neighborhood.
To learn more about how to support, or register for the walk visit here.
