This edition of our newsletter is focused on diversity. Diversity in all senses of the word. The best definition I found and added to was – Diversity is the range of human differences, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, social class, physical or mental ability or attributes, religious or ethical values system, national …

When I first joined OA in 1996 we gathered at the “Lemon Squeezer” church in Victory Park, Johannesburg. It smelled of highveld dust and floor polish. At 30, I seemed to be the youngest in the room filled with middle-class white women who looked like my elderly relatives. Just two years into South Africa’s democracy integration wasn’t happening and the …

I feel grateful that early through the OA doors I was told about OA Foot Steps. Until then, I went to numerous meetings, but felt like I had an added layer to my disease that ‘regular’ people didn’t understand. I have bipolar and anxiety. While people may only be trying to be helpful in saying just dont pick up the …

-Jackie S

I came into the program about 2 years ago. I knew about OA as I had been in another 12 step fellowship for over 40 years. I had been to my doctor for the millionth time, and she asked me “when are you going to stop this overeating cause you are going to die. This is serious! Your cholesterol is …

As a longtime agnostic, I had a lot of hesitation as I walked into a church basement to attend my first OA meeting. My doubts quickly multiplied when I heard them read the Twelve Steps. I was distressed by the references to God, especially to a male God to whom I was supposed to “turn over my will”. As a feminist, …

Hi. I’m Claire, compulsive overeater (COE), bulimic, restrictor, agnostic freethinker and living with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) (-emotionally unstable personality disorder). ~~When I first came to program I did feel different and marginalized. I was reluctant to disclose my beliefs and neurodiversity due to fear of judgement that I had so often experienced – I don’t need fixing. I would …

Monica is the Chair of the PIPO committee of OA Foot Steps, the Co-Chair of Unity with Diversity at World Services, and a WSBC delegate. Q: What Is the Goal and aspirations of the PIPO unity with Diversity?  A: The mission is to attract & draw in, compulsive eaters to OA, and to attract people from under represented communities in …

“How do you find support with mental health disorders or neurodiversity (bipolar, depression, schizophrenia, anxiety, ADHD, sensory processing disorders, depression, etc…)? How and when have you disclosed your disorder to fellows in OA., and/or how and when have you disclosed that you are a member of OA in a mental health groups? How does it affect your recovery?” I tell …

When I started the first outreach group in OA, it was confusing for people. I had put together guidelines to keep the chat safe, and there was resistance. The time keeping guidelines, and the no posting other than outreach requests in the chat, were not necessarily understood. People didn’t really know how to use it and were shy. I was …