There is always tomorrow
My trip to the international OCD conference is not happening. The irony of it is that, I was supposed to talk about the challenges of suffering from OCD in my country.
I have learned a lot about my condition and how it is like suffering from a mental illness in my country. Although some people I have been talking to, understand and appreciate mental illness. Most do not know the impact of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, in general and the impact it has on families in our society.
The African families believe so much in witchcraft and demons, as well as appeasing the ancestors. This affects our day to day living and decisions.
Once someone is sick, and the doctors are failing to cure the fast. The family rushes to traditional healers. Don’t get me wrong, there are traditional healers and traditional doctors. Traditional healers throw bone and diagnose people. It is usually that someone close to the person has bewitched them or that an ancestor, 100 years ago killed someone from a particular clan, and therefore the sick person is being affected by the avenging spirits.
The traditional doctors heal using herbs. In our environment, where not too many traditional doctors did not pass on their knowledge to their children, who felt that because of the modern medicine, traditional medicines was fast getting out of fashion. These days, one can find a lot of fake traditional doctors trying to steal money from the sick.
Some people rush to churches for prayer. For some reason, they don’t believe in prayers in the traditional churches, and therefore go to the faith churches where the prophets will pray for them and tell them that they have demons and again witchcraft comes into this. At times, there are given water to drink and in the bottle of water, a small stone is thrown in.
Then there are a lot of other New churches who believe in things like anointing oil, or anointing water or anointing whatever…. They give these to the sick and tell them that if they believe, they are healed.
My people still have a lot to learn.
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Unfortunate that you couldn't go to the conference. I was hoping crowdfunding could make it happen but the time was a bit short to make that happen this year.
If you start something like a GoFundMe campaign or FB Fundraiser now for next year, there's a very good possibility you can have the necessary funds in on hand well in advance.
Best wishes progressing with your efforts. Just don't give up.
By next year this time. i will be making more than enough in WA that i wont be asking anyone for help. Time for some serious work.
Sorry that you could not attend the international conference. I could not imagine what is like to live with OCD
If not this year, then next. Now is the time to start planning and raising the funds necessary for the trip. You have a talent and a passion for bringing awareness to the masses. It is not an easy subject matter to discuss for many, due to its far reaching complexities.
By this time next year you may well have an incredible story to tell.
Hi Angelica,
I am sorry that you were not able to attend the International OCD Conference. Mental illness is something that is scored and frowned upon in some societies. Indeed, there is much to learn and understand about OCD.
There are many different and varying belief systems within different cultures and this hinders the true understanding of OCD which is evident within your culture. You have to try to educate your people about your condition so that they understand the full impact of this condition. All the best as you continue with your struggles.
Much success to you!
Kind regards,
Nichola
Hi Angelica,
I am sorry you were not able to make it to the OCD conference.
This is an important issue and has to be recognized and understood.
Best wishes,
Michael
It takes time for some people to learn the struggles in life and how one copes with it all. But the one thing you can do that can help you is to never give up.
I to have suffered from mental illness. And I have had many challenges in life to today. In life sometimes you feel like the world is against you. like you don't belong.
Never give up. You will find your place and to let you know I'll help you as best I can when you need it just ask.
Sorry you weren't able to make it to the conference, I know you were looking forward to it. I love learning about different cultures and find them fascinating so I thank you for sharing. I agree that we have much to learn about, and to be accepting of, mental illness of all kinds. Thanks for posting.
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Interesting Post Angelica. Several members of my family have OCD and all suffer in different ways. What I did not know was that it was considered a mental illness. There is so much to learn about this.
In my experience in America, I have never heard people requesting prayer for the healing of OCD. In most cases, people tend to seek help and encouragement in dealing with it. It is so sad to hear how the so-called faith healers have taken advantage of people.
It is amazing how different cultures view this and try to treat it.
Thanks for sharing I will check out your post on OCD support.
Ray
Thank you Ray.
In my country, it is all about awareness. People have no idea what this is all about. Hence my drive to educate the nation, so to speak. Those sufferers, family members and the public in general. There is just too much stigma against the mentally disabled
Thanks again, Angelica. Your post caused my wife and me to reflect on how OCD affects people differently. Here in America, we tend to take it lightly because so many people talk as if OCD is just a minor disorder that causes them to try to do everything themselves. Yet there are many who are not able to function at all because of their disorder. That is a real problem that needs real help.
You have picked a great niche that needs someone to raise awareness.
Ray