29 June 2012

Wrongful accusations: Why awareness makes a difference!


We had a 3 year old at home named Corey when our baby girl was born. We live in Canada - A place that people think wrongful accusations would never happen!

(this is the first time I have ever shared our story so publicly, I just think it’s now time).

20 months ago we were blessed with a beautiful baby girl we named Claireese.

We took her home from the hospital three days later and headed back into the ER that night after fracturing her femur while changing a diaper. They admitted us to the hospital and decided that our story was not legitimate and concluded that Claireese had been abused.

Social services ordered x-rays on our brand new baby that resulted in her being exposed to 97 films of radiation. They also ordered blood work (something we have never been able to get to this day because of her small veins) and pinned her down and tortured her through this procedure. We believe this was when her arm was fractured - discovered later on.

Claireese had approx 12 fractures. Some we never knew of until later on when they showed up healed on x-ray. Child services determined this was abuse and we spent the next few weeks trying to prove that we deserved to keep our children.

A doctor actually told me at the Hospital that if I told child services I had dropped her, this would all be over with, there would be nothing they could do. Heartbreaking that lying to try and keep our kids where they belong was going to be our only option. RCMP escorted Doug and I out of the hospital and took us down to the police station where we were both harshly interrogated.

Meanwhile Claireese's sclera was so dark it looked like she had no white of her eyes, just pupils. My mom Googled broken bones in newborn and "Osteogenesis Imperfecta" came up. It said that "blue sclera and unexplained fractures" were key signs. She printed this off and brought it into the hospital and our pediatrician took one look at it, pointed out the “1 in 50 000 odds”, handed it back to us and said "very unlikely".

It took weeks of us proving to a social worker that we were good parents and that something needed to be done. The hospital put in their report that "All tests have been run that would rule out abuse and everything has come back clear therefore it was being determined to be abuse." After weeks of fighting for our kids, our Social worker (who was as wonderful as a social worker trying to take your kids away could be) got us testing at Children’s Hospital in Vancouver for Osteogenesis Imperfecta.

When we went down there, they clinically diagnosed her that day and we were cleared from Social Services. That day we learned that our baby girl had a very rare brittle bone condition - Osteogenesis Imperfecta. We were lost. NOBODY knew what OI was and our little girl had it. Nobody could answer our questions, nobody we knew had it, and it was awful.

We took matters into our own hands and things started to change for the better. We got a proper diagnosis. We found a wonderful support group that has helped us through more than they will ever know. We found the leading OI specialists in Montreal and were able to get Claireese to their hospital where she now goes for all her care along with many other children from all over the world with OI. In Montreal they are able to treat her like a child and not an experiment to learn more about brittle bones.

We know that all of this could have been prevented if people including medical professionals were more aware!

We're thankful for where we have got, by putting up a fight and refusing to accept NO as an answer. We are thankful for all our family and friends that have stood by our side day in and out through it all.




So after reading our story, we hope that you remember to wear yellow on "WISHBONE DAY, 6th MAY" - a day for raising awareness for osteogenesis imperfecta. A day to recognise our little Claireese and all her friends with OI.

Because awareness does make a difference and we stand beside that.
So can you!

The Bourque's

27 June 2012

What is the difference then (2010) and now (2012)?



Awareness makes a difference! This is the tagline for Wishbone Day.
We see it on facebook, twitter, on the website, in the videos, on t-shirts and flyers. But what does it really mean? and What does Wishbone Day mean to me?

Let me share with you how Wishbone Day has made a difference to me personally - as a parent and a Wishbone Day Regional Liaison as well as to our OI support group here in the Philippines.

Back in 2010, it was the Wishbone Day t-shirt which was the very first thing that drew our group here in the Philippines together. Wishbone Day gave us a sense of belonging and confidence that there is something to look forward to. It gave us hope that our children could have a better quality of life and that we as parents can actually do something.

Almost two years on and with the support and guidance of the staff at the Institutes of Human Genetics (IHG) at the National Institute of Health, we are still here, bigger and stronger with a positive outlook and smiles on our faces as we celebrate Wishbone Day in 2012. Besides our group at the Philippine General Hospital, we now have four Satellite Infusion Centers in the different areas of the country. This was possible with the dedicated efforts of our doctors at the IHG, the cooperation of the attending doctors at the satellite infusion centers and the trust of the parents.

Awareness in our country made a BIG difference! It gives us hope and confidence, that even a third world country like ours, we can step up and rise above the challenges that OI brings with a positive attitude!

Awareness has lifted us from confusion and passivity to positivity and reality. As I have always said, this is the best gift that we can give to our children and the generations to come.

It is my pleasure and honour to be part of the first Wishbone Day Team in 2012. I have enjoyed our Wishbone Day Headquarters workspace on Facebook and the friends I've made there. I have learnt so much from Jo and the team as well as from the fellow Asians I have the privilege to communicate with, about Wishbone Day and OI.

Raising awareness is so much more than plain, simple telling people something. You touch people at a deeper level. It's about giving parents, kids, adults and community something deeper and helping them realise, Wishbone Day is more than an individual thing - it is for ALL of of us. I have enjoyed the journey this year. It has been exciting to see not only the developments in the Philippines, but also in Nepal and the difference Wishbone Day has made to people in that country as well.

Congratulations to all of us!



Jeneth Sabay-Catapang
Wishbone Day Liaison - Asia
asia@wishboneday.com





26 June 2012

Wishbone Day changed our lives - for the better!

Hi there...We are from Washington State, USA. Let me tell you how Wishbone Day has changed our lives - for the better!!

Yellow is her new favourite colour!
My daughter is six yrs old (type IV). As her parents, we had experienced a long and traumatic series of accusations of child abuse. It wasn't until she was 14 months old that she was finally diagnosed with Osteogenesis Imperfecta. We have been through a lot with different doctors in our area, so there are still big trust issues with the medical professionals we come into contact with.

We have gone to the last two U.S. OI conferences and I felt the love and support from other parents who have children with OI. It was just a wonderful experience for our whole family. We had just decided to go to the upcoming conference this July, when I went on Facebook looking for the OI parent group and other support and there it was yellow, yellow, yellow!!!!

I started to watch the videos on the Wishbone Day website and have yet to dry my eyes!!! I knew we had to do something! With only four days to go until 6 May, I started by sharing anything and everything I could on Facebook and encouraged my friends and family to do the same.

Yellow Wishy Cupcakes!
Our quote was, "Just one click makes a difference"! I was scheduled to work the whole weekend but I managed to hand paint six OI t-shirts for our family, make buttons, flyers along with 150 yellow/wishy cupcakes for our neighbours and for both my husband's and my workplaces!!! We delivered the cupcakes and informed new and old neighbours of Wishbone Day! Then we hit the town, wishing everyone Happy Wishbone Day and sharing information about OI!!!

We had a blast and brainstormed all day of what we are going to do next year! We can't wait to get our community involved and have a huge celebration next year! I am so grateful for Wishbone Day!!!

It's a fun and exciting way to spread information that is positive and something my daughter can be proud of!!!  She has informed me that yellow is her new favourite colour and she wants Wishbone Day printed on everything yellow!!!!

For this very happy mamma, I feel empowered now to help educate my community to hopefully support and connect with other families dealing with OI.

"Awareness makes a difference!"
It sure did in my life and I thank you!!!

Our Family Spreading Awareness!



Stephanie Lutz
A very happy Mamma

Over 250 hand painted messages of support and love for Lucia



Cordoba, Argentina.

The town of Alice is Lucia home ... she is a beautiful girl who lives with Osteogenesis Imperfecta. Her strength of will, her contagious laugh and her vitality motivated us to mobilize and join the Wishbone Day celebration and share with her and other children: games, plays and music, organized by young people of secondary and other institutions.

At the end of the day, Lucia was admitted to hospital for corrective surgery. She took with her the best memories, letters from friends and a flag with over 250 hand painted messages of support and love.  Awareness makes a difference!


Join our Wishbone Day family! Wishbone Day, Queensland


A beautiful fine day was celebrated at Southbank in Brisbane, beside the Brisbane River. 38 people joined us in making a successful Wishbone Day... We had people from Cairns, Rockhampton and Northern New South Wales.

We had balloons,signs, brochures, skeleton, shirts and cake and lots of yellow food. We had so many people come up to us wanting to know more about OI - what it was, etc. We were competing with the Buddha Festival for parking. That proved to be a bonus! It just brought more people to our party!

One young lady who had never met anyone with OI besides her mum and grandma, saw our signs and was blown away! She has now joined our OI Family. Awareness really does make a difference.


New friends were made, parents with young OI kids met other parents, mums with OI who have had children and about to have children met.

Wishbone Day is making a such a positive difference for our next generation and we can't wait for next year!!!

Raechel Richards
Queensland Representative
OI Society of Australia

11 June 2012

Wishbone Day 2012 -- Sydney style

Since Wishbone Day began 3 years ago it has grown in size and creativity.  Each year we see bigger and brighter Wishbone Day celebrations!  This year was no exception!  Wishbone Day 2012 was HUGE!!

Wishbone Day Sydney was held at Darling Quarter, Darling Harbour and was our largest Wishbone Day celebration ever!  Our Wishbone Day celebration was an open community picnic day with perfect sunny Sunday weather, great company including an awesome jazz band.


Just when we thought it couldn't get any better, we were treated to a surprise Wishbone Day Flashmob.  Organised by Occupational Therapy students from the University of Sydney,  the Flashmob was performed to song Price Tag which was the song featured in our previous Wishbone Day video.  It was such a fun and interactive way to bring more awareness to our Wishbone Day gathering. As the flashmob grew, so did the crowd!  







We were thrilled that Wishy made it home from his world tour just in time to join our Wishbone Day celebration.  He met many new friends and helped us raise awareness by handing out Wishbone Day postcards and sharing the Wishbone Day Poster Series with passers-by.




Another surprise visitor was Alvin.  Alvin joined us in Sydney while his family celebrated Wishbone Day in the Philippines! It was great to share Wishbone Day with him this year.   


(Alvin celebrating Wishbone Day in Sydney and his family celebrating Wishbone Day in the Philippines)


Wishbone Day Sydney was a fantastic time. Thank you to all who joined us and for making it such a special day.  A special thanks also to Ann Barnes and Adriano Carrideo for being our photographers on the day and for helping us capture memories of Wishbone Day 2012.



How did you celebrate Wishbone Day?

Share your story about Wishbone Day.  
Send your story and a photo to info@wishboneday.com

Wishbone Day 2012

In true Wishbone Day style our OI community turned the world yellow on Wishbone Day 2012.  One thing we have learned for sure over the last 3 years is that our OI community are amazing awareness raisers!

Check out these creative efforts to raise awareness of OI and Wishbone Day!


Our Wishbone Day supporters -- 

MAKE


BAKE


DECORATE





EDUCATE 



 CELEBRATE




We'd like to thank all those who wore their yellow to recognise and celebrate Wishbone Day and for the overwhelming enthusiasm to raise awareness of OI around the world.  You make a difference!

Watch this space for stories, photos and the long awaited Wishbone Day 2012 video - coming soon!!



If you'd like to share your Wishbone Day story 
send it via email at info@wishboneday.com

10 June 2012

Doing a "Wishy"

We've spotted our supporters doing there best 
"Wishy" 


We've spotted our supporters doing a "Wishy". Send us your Wishy pose to info@wishboneday.com. www.wishboneday.com/2012/06/weve-spotted-our-supporters-doing-wishy.html
Posted by Wishbone Day on Monday, 11 June 2012

















Wishy is our world famous Wishbone Day mascot.  Wishy is cheerful and happy,  jumping for joy,  hands in the air and always ready to celebrate achievements big and small.




Share your best "Wishy" pose

Send your pictures to info@wishboneday.com or tag Wishbone Day in your public photo on our Facebook page