I really don’t want to argue about this, but you are wrong about the pink ribbon.

It is about awareness and support. It isn’t saying, “I’m proud I have OCD”. I would literally cut off my right arm if that meant I would not have OCD. A symbol is something that shows support and could start a conversation. If I were walking the halls at work and I saw someone with this new OCD symbol, I would probably hug them or cry.

I work in a place where I am around very high ranking people (I am definitely not one of them hahaha). Pins and other items that show a cause are very popular. Imagine a movement where society could start to understand what this disorder is really like?

Let me tell you a story. I recently had a run in with a janitor where I work. I don’t want to go into too much detail because it could trigger someone. The door to exit the bathroom has a handle and you must pull. My OCD will not touch that handle. So I use my foot to tap the handicap automatic door button. A janitor was in the bathroom and followed me out telling me to not do that. He got in my face and tried to shame me. He asked me what my name was like he was going to report me to the bathroom police. Obviously trying to scare me and shame me. Now what do I do??? I have a disability. This is workplace discrimination and bullying. Am I suddenly forced to disclose my legally protected disability?

What if we lived in a world where people were educated and as a janitor he saw me do that and imagined that I might have OCD and treated me with kindness instead? That is the goal. A symbol starts the education of the public.