1. What is Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI)?
Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) is a genetic condition that causes bones to break easily. OI is also known as “brittle bones”. A person is born with OI and will have OI throughout their lifetime.
You can learn more about OI by visiting one or all of the OI associations around the world. We've provided some links to help you find the one nearest to where you live. If you can't find what you're looking for send us an email and we will do our best to help.
2. What is Wishbone Day?
2. What is Wishbone Day?
Wishbone Day is an international community awareness effort to raise positive awareness of Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), otherwise known as 'brittle bones'.
Wishbone Day is not a fundraising event. Wishbone Day is an annual awareness day held on the 6th May each year. Wishbone Day will raise awareness of OI by acknowledging all the great things that people with OI achieve!
3. Why is Wishbone Day important?
- Because knowing that life with OI can still be all that you dreamed, is sometimes just the thing Mums and Dads love to hear. Awareness makes a difference!
- Because assumptions about what OI is and what OI isn't often creates more challenges and difficulties than the Osteogenesis Imperfecta itself. Awareness makes a difference!
- Because we want the world to know that OI is no show stopper. It just adds to the adventure!
4. Can I raise money through Wishbone Day?
Wishbone Day is not a fundraising event. We invite all Wishbone Day supporters to be creative in bringing positive awareness to the lives of people living with OI. Wishbone Day is a celebration of life with OI.
Through positive awareness we can highlight the need for better access, greater understanding and how communities can make a difference through their interactions and decisions. We can also highlight the work of other organisations whose mission it is to raise funds for research and better services for people and families living with OI.
Here at Wishbone Day HQ we recognise that there may be times when funds are generated in the normal process of awareness raising activities. In these cases, a Rotary Club partnered with Wishbone Day will support your event. Your local Rotary Club will be responsible for funds raised and then donate raised funds on to your local OI association on our behalf. You must register your Rotary Club with us before raising funds! Contact us for support or information.
If you are unsure how to find the rotary club nearest to where you live, use this online Rotary Club locator to help. We will link all participating Rotary Clubs on our website - so be sure to let us know who they are!
5. How did Wishbone Day come about?
Wishbone Day grew out of a discussion at the Australian OI Conference in 2008. Here, people talked about creating an awareness day to help raise awareness of OI. After this conference, the OI young people’s forum adopted the Wishbone suggestion and chose the 6th May as the date for an OI awareness day — Wishbone Day was born!
Wishbone Day was first celebrated in 2010. Since then, Wishbone Day has grown with the participation of other generous, creative and excited people from all over the world who also want to celebrate awareness of OI! Wishbone Day belongs to everyone who celebrates the lives of people living with OI. Wishbone Day is a celebration of life with OI!
6. Is this an official awareness day worldwide or is it exclusive to Australia?
Wishbone Day is International! It is a global awareness-raising effort!
Since 2010, Wishbone Day communities have been spreading across the world. This map shows Wishbone Day communities in 2011.
At Wishbone Day HQ, we aim to have Wishbone Day 'officially' recognised in as many places as possible. So please let us know if Wishbone Day is celebrated in your region so we can add you to the Wishbone Day community!
6. Who is Wishy?
Since 2010, Wishbone Day communities have been spreading across the world. This map shows Wishbone Day communities in 2011.
6. Who is Wishy?
Wishy is Wishbone Day's mascot!
You can read more about Wishy's Big Adventure here. Wishy is travelling the world, meeting as many kids, parents, friends and families in the OI community.
He started planning his iternary on the 8 May 2011 (with Jo's help). So far, he's had a ball visiting LA and Disneyland, attended the 2011 OIFE Conference in Dubrovnik Croatia with Ute, finally met Rafa and others in Sevilla Spain, travelled to Omaha USA with Avery and Mary to visit with Dr Esposito at the OI Clinic, all in a short six months. Wishy really is criss-crossing the globe bigtime!
Wishy has his own Facebook page here and you can email him at wishy@wishboneday.com if you would like to put him up for a few nights in your part of the world.
You can read more about Wishy's Big Adventure here. Wishy is travelling the world, meeting as many kids, parents, friends and families in the OI community.
He started planning his iternary on the 8 May 2011 (with Jo's help). So far, he's had a ball visiting LA and Disneyland, attended the 2011 OIFE Conference in Dubrovnik Croatia with Ute, finally met Rafa and others in Sevilla Spain, travelled to Omaha USA with Avery and Mary to visit with Dr Esposito at the OI Clinic, all in a short six months. Wishy really is criss-crossing the globe bigtime!
Wishy has his own Facebook page here and you can email him at wishy@wishboneday.com if you would like to put him up for a few nights in your part of the world.
7. Can my OI society or organisation get involved in Wishbone Day?
