World Nomads - Meet Mitch

Meet Mitch St. Pierre, a Canadian filmmaker with OI who decided to leave his home country and set up in the decidedly more adventurous surroundings of Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Post by World Nomads.

Guess who arrived home today?

That's right!  WISHY

Wishy arrived home today from his big around the world trip!

Look how far he travelled!  You can read about Wishy's Big Adventure here.

He left Sydney on Wishbone Day 6th May 2011.  His plan was to travel and see as many new friends as possible and to be back in Sydney to celebrate Wishbone Day Sydney 2012.  Way to go Wishy!!  

He made it home just in time!!!!  

While he was away he met so many fantastic friends, attended conferences, met professional, kids, parents and staff.  He visited clinics, homes, hospitals and special events.  

He arrived home safe but very very tired!

Wishy wants to thank all his generous hosts for helping him travel between places, giving him somewhere safe to sleep and keeping him busy during those awesome trips.  

He cant wait to begin the next part of the travel plan because there are still so many places and people he wants to meet.

Wishy will leave Sydney again soon to attend the OIF Conference in Washington DC, so if you're there keep an eye out for him! After the conference he will head straight to the Philippines. 

If you'd like to host Wishy where you live or have an event you'd like him to attend, please drop us a note so we can add it to his itinerary!

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ATTENTION:

want to meet Wishy?

SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCE

Wishy will make a special guest appearance at the Wishbone Day 2012 Sydney celebration at Darling Harbour this Sunday!   

12- 3pm

 Darling Quarter.  Darling Harbour, Sydney

  

Next stop, Brazil

With my trip through Europe complete I am now headed to Brazil!  I am so excited to again be travelling to a new part of the world and meeting new family and friends.  I'll let you know when I arrive!!

Until touch down in Brazil!
Stay safe

Wishy

Viva Quito!

I've just spent 3 weeks in sunny Ecuador!

It was fantastic to attend the II Latin American OI Congress in Quito. There was so much to see and so many new friends to meet. Here I am with Justin and Hilda.

I was so very excited to meet the OI-team from Shriners Hospital Montreal and the famous Dr. Fassier! 

Dr Fassier and his colleague Dr. Pierre Duval invented the Fassier-Duval Telescopic Rod. This is a rod that is used to surgically straighten and strengthen the long bones of the legs and arms of children living with OI. The amazing thing about Dr Fassiers invention is the rod grows as a child grows which means less surgeries to replace the rod as kids grow up. The Fassier-Duval Rod is used in more than 45 countries worldwide! Thank you Dr Fassier for your amazing work! :-)

After the Congress it was time for some sight seeing.  I went to the Otavalo Indio Market and met these delightful little puppets.   

and then was treated to a ride with my new friends on a "Chiva" during the "Fiestas de Quito" - an open bus driving through Quito's old town - viva Quito!  

I've had such a great time and have learned so much.  I hope that my new friends here in Ecuador are as excited as I am for Wishbone Day 2012.  It's only 5 months to go!

Have you started planning your Wishbone Day celebration?  Click here to write me a note and let me know what you have planned.

I hope to see you soon!

Wishy

Wishy in the Netherlands

Here I am in the Netherlands having a fantastic time.

I visited a lovely town called Putten where I attended a meeting of the Dutch OI Association. I've met so many new friends and shared so much about Wishbone Day. 

My friends Norbert Boumans and Taco van Welzenis took these wonderful photos.

This is a photo of when I met some "zwarte Pieten" (black Pete). Black Pete traditionally help the Dutch "Sinterklaas" with the distribution of sweets and presents to children. They are so mischievous!  

It has been so much fun to learn about new cultures and traditions and how our friends all over the world celebrate special times together. Leaning new things has really been a highlight of my world adventure.  

After the meeting some of my friends took me to one of the local hotels.  I was feeling very thirsty so my friends gave me a lovely drink. We had so much fun that I started feeling a little dizzy!  I've really enjoyed my visit in the Netherlands.

The next part of my travels will take me across the Ocean to Ecuador. I can't wait to meet my travel buddies and hosts Maria Barbero and Oliver Semler, a paediatrician from Cologne University Clinic for Children. Together we will attend the second Latin American OI Congress in Quito, Ecuador.

Soon I will also visit Peru, Mexico and Brazil.  Such exciting adventures!

ACHOO from Europe!

I am having the best time here in Europe even though Ute and I, have both caught a little cold. We have been sneezing and sniffling - ACHOOOO!

In Sevilla we had 40°c and here in Germany about 35°c less .... it's very chilly. I may need to buy a nice warm yellow scarf or woollen hat to keep warm.

Last weekend in Sevilla, Spain I attended the Spanish OI Congress of AHUCE.  I spent lots of time with my good buddy Raffa and met so many other new and old friends.

(Click here for more photos) 

Look how many new friends I made this day! We had such a wonderful time together and I have learned so much. 

I can't wait to see all their creative ideas for celebrating Wishbone Day 2012. I am sure it will be the best and biggest Wishbone Day EVER!

Just the other day I learned about the new Wishbone Day Soccer team in Gran Canaria (Canary Islands).  

Look how awesome they look in their bright Wishbone Day yellow uniforms! I will write more about them soon so watch for updates on my latest news.

Tomorrow I will visit a small OI meeting in Germany. I am looking forward to meeting many more beautiful friends.

In December, I have been invited to cross the big ocean to visit the Latin American OI Congress in Quito/Ecuador!  I am so excited for this part of my trip.  I can't wait to meet my friends from Ecuador!  

From Ecuador my friends have suggested that I visit Peru and then go to Mexico! I am not sure who will be my travel buddy, so please let me know if you can help me with my travels to Peru and Mexico!

  

I am having such a great time here.  It is so very beautiful!  

Best wishes and many greetings for now,

Wishy

A visit to Omaha

I'm not sure how this post got missed.  I think it must have got caught up in my luggage while I was travelling from country to county. My apologies for the very late UPDATE!

Before I flew to Germany and Spain, I spent four lovely weeks in the USA.  I had planned on going to Camp Attitude where so many of my good friends and OI family visit each year but unfortunately my flight from Australia was delayed and I was one day too late to travel with my buddies to camp.  I was thrilled that my friends made up for me not being there in person by adding me in spirit to their activities. 

Here is Aubrey with Wishbone Day face-paint and Avery, Alexi, Lexi, Robbie and Halle with a picture of me made in the snow. What fun!

Next, I travelled to Omaha with Avery and Mary to visit with Dr Esposito at the OI Clinic. I was so excited to finally meet all the staff, kids and families that visited. Jennifer had posted me a note way back in May inviting me to Omaha, so I was very excited to finally be here! I met many great friends and had such a fun time.

Avery even gave me a ride on his wagon!  Woooo!!

Mary reminded us that we should do a Wishbone Day clip to add to the next Wishbone Day promo video. Jonathon and Dr Esposito practiced their lines:  Why is Wishbone Day Important?  Because awareness makes a difference!  

It was so funny when Dr Esposito forgot his line! Oh NO!!  He better practice lots before Wishbone Day 2012!  

Next time you visit Dr Esposito at Omaha be sure to ask him: Why is Wishbone Day important?  and if he forgets, remind him - Because awareness makes a difference! 

Remember to send in your Why is Wishbone Day important? 10 second video clip to add to the promo video.  If you haven't already sent your video - do it soon!  Need a reminder?  Click here

I'll be back in the USA soon so if you can put me up for a few nights, let me know.  Leave me a comment or send me an email to wishy@wishboneday.com

Did you know ... that I have my very own personal Facebook page?  I use it to share my big adventure - how exciting!  I'd love for you to say hi to me there!.  Kids, you may have to help your Mum or Dad with Facebook because they probably wont have their own :-)

Don't be shy, say hi!!

Adventure in Europe

My adventure in Europe has been fantastic so far! I love it here!!

I attended the OIFE's19th annual meeting and then the really exciting Scientific Conference in Dubrovnik, Croatia.  I've met many new friends who are planning Wishbone Day events for 2012.  I really think that Wishbone Day 2012 will be the best we've ever had! Thank you Ute from OIFE for introducing me to so many wonderful friends.

On Thursday I arrived in Sevilla, Spain. I am visiting at the OI-Congress of OIFE's Spanish member organisation. I am so excited to be spending time with my friends from Spain. 'Did you know' that when Wishbone Day first started in 2010, Spain was our first group of friends outside of Australia to translate Wishbone Day into another language other than English?  

This is me with Rafa, who has helped so much with Wishbone Day in Spain! Thank you Rafa!!

Next week I will visit with friends in Germany and then in December, I'm off to Quito, Ecuador!  Maria Barbero and Oliver Semler, a paediatrician from Cologne University Clinic for Children will be my hosts and travel buddies. Together we will attend the second Latin American OI Congress in Quito, Ecuador.

My friends back in Australia have told me that Dr Kate Armstrong from CLAN and A/Prof Craig Munns from the Childrens Hospital at Westmead were awesome at the presentation with Rotary Dee Why Warringah on Tuesday night (11 October).  I am so excited that soon friends in Vietnam will join our global OI family and will be celebrating Wishbone Day in 2012.

If you'd like to be my host where you live, please let me know through my Facebook page! or email Jo and I will do my very best to get there!

Next stop Spain!

I arrived safely in Germany and met up with my travel buddy Ute from OIFE. We travelled together to the OIFE conference in Dubrovnik, Croatia where I met some wonderful new friends including friends all the way from Australia, Helen Keogh and Professor David Silence! Can you see me in the photo below?  I'm sitting with my new friend Terese from Sweden!

After the OIFE conference, I was so excited to be invited to join the 11th International Conference on OI! It is such an exciting time to be meeting so many amazing new friends and learning of all the awesome Wishbone Day ideas being planned for 2012.  Awareness really does make a difference!

Delegates from the 2011 OIFE Conference, Dubrovnik Croatia

I have just heard that there will be an OI conference for the first time in Mexico in January 2012. So, I am going to try and get to that one. Is there anyone who can put me up for a few days in Mexico? I need a travel buddy!  Please leave me a comment or email me on wishy@wishboneday.com if you're keen to be my travel buddy in Mexico!  

I have also heard about the exciting news that our friends in Vietnam will soon be launching their OI Club.  I can't wait to hear all about their first meeting in November!  Maybe I could visit Vietnam sometime soon!!

Ute was worried that I might be getting homesick.  But no, I'm having far too much fun to be homesick! Soon I will say good bye to Croatia and head to Spain for the Congress on OI in Sevilla and will meet more OI family and friends!  

I can't wait!  Spain here I come!!

Wishbone Day 2011 News is here!

We've had some requests to provide 'Wishbone Day News 2011 as a download' to print off and share with your friends and family. So we've answered the call with a condensed version of Wishbone Day 2011. 

You'll find a small sample of Wishbone Day celebration photos that were shared by Wishbone Day supporters and published via our website, as well as the FAQ and a few 'did you know...' info bites.

Download and print WishBone Day News 2011 to help your family, friends and colleagues learn more about Wishbone Day or send it to anyone who does not have access to the internet!

We would love to get details of your OI awareness events. You can also add your 'Did you know...' items by sending us interesting news about our OI community.

I'll get you started :) Did you know... its only 221 days until Wishbone Day 2012!?

Send your contributions to info@wishboneday.com

Wishbone Day 2012 Promo Video

Be part of the Wishbone Day 2012 promo video by sending us your 10 second video clip! See Alexi with a great example.

Your clip should be no longer than 10 seconds!

Only use the script: 

(Why is Wishbone Day important?  Because awareness makes a difference!)

The rest is up to you. Do it by yourself or get family and friends to help! and don't forget to show some yellow :-)

Send your clip to info@wishboneday.com no later than 30 November 2011

If you missed the promo video for 2011 ... check it out here.
 

Wishbone Day Celebration 2011

Wishbone Day 2011 was our second international awareness day for Osteogenesis Imperfecta and has been celebrated in communities across the world.  Wishbone Day 2011 is the largest community awareness day ever to raise awareness for OI worldwide.

We'd like to thank all those people who wore their yellow on Wishbone Day and for the overwhelming enthusiasm to support Wishbone Day to reach the world.   Watch the video to see how Wishbone Day was celebrated this year.

Plans are already well underway for Wishbone Day 2012!  So be prepared for an even bigger celebration next year!!

Fireworks re-launch

We have re-launched the Wishbone Day promo video and included a few new photos. If you didn't make 'the cut' don't be concerned.

The 2011 Wishbone Day celebration video is only days away! Stay tuned for its launch soon.

Wishy's new friends @ Disneyland

Today I met some great new friends at the Home of the Future at Disneyland.  I was impressed that they wore their yellow on Wishbone Day! Look how excited they are to be getting a photo with me :-) FEEL THE LOVE!!

This friend didn't quite get the concept of yellow but still he showed great 'unbreakable spirit' in the Indianna Jones Tunnel.  What an adventure!

An adventure itinerary

I'm having such a great time. I'm getting pretty excited for the next part of my adventure! I've had quite a few invitations - I feel so loved XX

My friends back home tell me that they are working hard to put together a video slideshow of all the amazing Wishbone Day celebrations around the world.  I can't wait to see it!

Tonight I thought I would sit down at the computer and start to plan the rest of my world tour. I realised, I need you to help me do this.  What are the must attend OI events? Where are they and when are they?

Tell me your 'must-do' OI events by leaving me a comment below, so I can plan my world tour and be back in Sydney in time for Wishbone Day 2012!

Wishy having fun in LA!

I took a stroll down Hollywood Boulevard walk of fame as well!

Did you know that when Jo Ragen was about 10 years old, she was in hospital with a badly broken leg. She received a huge fruit basket, bunch of flowers and a get well card signed -- Steven Spielberg.  I wonder if he wore Yellow on Wishbone Day?

Here I am enjoying a beautiful trip on the steam boat.

Las Vegas here I come!

Here I am having a great time. The Jungle ride at Disneyland was great fun!

Touch Down!

After a very long 17 hour flight from Sydney to LA, I've touched down safe and sound. I'm feeling a bit jet lagged and tired so I'm going to get comfy in my big bed for a well earned nap.

Another big day of adventure coming up soon!

Checked in and ready to fly!

It was a very early start today!  I was up at 4.30am to drive across Sydney to the Airport.  I arrived at the airport in plenty of time, checked my luggage in and now I'm all ready to leave Sydney to begin my big Wishbone Day adventure across the World!

Jo is helping me add updates to the Wishbone Day blog as I go - so stay tuned! You'll get to hear all about my adventures and see photos.

I'm so pleased that I got a seat on the plane with plenty of leg room.  I hope they have good inflight movies for the long 17 hour flight across the world.  Excited!

A BIG ADVENTURE FOR WISHY!

Hello everyone!

My name is Wishy and I'm the mascot for Wishbone Day! I'm about to take off on a big new adventure around the world for Wishbone Day!

I am stoked to be leaving Sydney on Wishbone Day, 6 May 2011 for Los Angeles, USA!! Go me! I'm going to look around LA for a week before going to Las Vegas baby! I've never travelled before, so I'm very very excited!

After that, I'm going back to Sydney to pick up my new itinerary and start a tour around Australia.  Who knows where I will go after that?! Maybe your place?

All I know is that I have to be back in Sydney by Wishbone Day 2012!  Please contact Jo at Wishbone Day if you can put me up for a few nights when I'm in your country! 

You can say hello to me by posting me a comment below too - I love getting messages!