Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

As many of my close friends and family know, I am an advocate for raising awareness for OCD. I have done this through appearing on a Welsh TV programme and more recently a radio show about OCD. 

My commitment to raising awareness about OCD comes from my own, personal experience with this devastating illness. It's not just about hand-washing and compulsions, but about the insidious 'what-ifs', thought intrusions, and doubts that constantly plague you. The need to constantly seek reassurance from a loved-one that everything is ok;the constant worry and fear that if you don't turn a light on and off twenty times then something catastrophic will happen to someone you love, and it will be your fault. The overwhelming sense of responsibility that you feel about others; the need for certainty. The conviction that thoughts mean action. The avoidance of everything that you're scared of. The feeling of fear all the time. 

That was my life for many years, suffering with this illness in silence, hiding away, locked in my own head and thoughts. However through CBT, mindfulness,understanding cognitive models of OCD,the support of my family, supervisors,many wonderful friends, and my rock Alex Jones, I very rarely get locked into my own head any more. Through some of the darker days, charities like OCD action facilitated my understanding of the illness and provided an anonymous voice for me to talk to when I felt very very alone.

I still get anxious now and again but to the extent that others get anxious. I use exercise and mindfulness to not get embroiled in the destructive thought patterns any longer. I believe that battling with OCD is no longer a battle but a dance, of which I lead.

The thought of running a 12 mile Army-style obstacle course fills me with absolute dread, to the point of wanting to avoid the feared stimulus. This will be testimony to my concrete resolve ;p. I would be delighted if you could support me by supporting OCD action for the wonderful work they do in helping people like me who have been to hell and back with OCD or anxiety.

Thank you so much for your support,

Lowri