Ketut Budiarsa is most certainly not ordinary, at all.

Ketut Budiarsa is most certainly not ordinary, at all. Ketut is one of three brothers living with OI in Bali. He is a proud Balinese man. Let us share with you his story of life with OI in Bali, his work as a human rights activist and public speaker, and his use of art to tell stories. Visit his website at http://ketutbudiarsa.weebly.com

You are beautiful!

By Stacy Mason

At the end of last year I was chosen to be a model for a photo exhibit called Embrace Your Body. This exhibit featured glamorous pictures of many beautiful women with all different body types beyond the stereotypical "magazine model." I was the only woman chosen who uses a wheelchair.

I decided to do the exhibit for my myself and for my daughter. We both have Type 5 OI. As most of you know, having OI usually means having deformities and not looking "normal." I have struggled with accepting parts of my body for a long time. My right leg is my most hated. I broke it so many times in late elementary school/beginning of middle school. It was in a cast so many times it's significantly shorter then the other. I was/am a chronic leg crosser which with soft bones meant that leg eventually curved around the other leg which is why it has a significant curve to it. Its the main reason you will rarely find me wearing anything that shows my legs. I know my spine is very curved and as a result I have a noticeable "hunch back" and I know my arms are not straight in the slightest either, but for some reason its my legs that I want to hide.

My daughter will be 5 soon, and she already has some unique characters about her body. Its my job to show her she is beautiful no matter what, but how can I do that when I struggle with it myself? So, I went way outside my comfort zone and did this.

 

(image credit: Jordan Barclay Photography)

I felt beautiful (but nervous!!!) and these photos are gorgeous, if I do say so myself! I hope my confidence to share my body and embrace it will encourage others in this community who may be struggling to love themselves too. You are beautiful and you are worth it!

(Click to follow Stacy on Facebook)

Mummy on Wheels

On Saturday we shared Unbreakable: a film by Rebecca Kirwan, which is a short documentary about Jodie, and her husband Todd. If you missed it you can catch up here.  The documentary ends with the question, what next for Jodie and Todd?

Today we congratulate Jodie and Todd on the safe arrival of Ethan, their first baby boy.

Mum, bub and Daddy are all doing well.

You can follow Jodie's story from her Facebook page Mummy on Wheels.

 

Unbreakable: A film by Rebecca Kirwan

Body Positivity with Abby Green

Abby Green talks about finding body confidence as a young woman with OI:

"When you see a picture of someone who look fierce, its because they know that they're fierce! ... so the moment you accept yourself for what a babe you are, the hotter you're going to be".

Wishbone Day.  Because awareness makes a difference!

The truth about growing up disabled by Dylan Alcott

We’re excited to announce that Dylan Alcott was today announced as 2017 Patron for  International Day of People with Disability. Dylan is one of Australia’s most successful and well recognised Paralympians. Dylan said that as Patron, he will be inviting everyone to continue a national conversation about what we can all do to normalise disability.

"Disability remains this thing that nobody really wants to talk about. There is still this negative stigma that having a disability is this weird, unlucky and really ugly thing. For kids with disability that don't have any confidence, its really really hard for them to get over this [stigma] and to get into the world to do what they want to do.  It [negative stigma] really restricts everything that they want to achieve"...   

"I think it is really important moving forward that we as a society change our perceptions of disability away from this idea that disability is this really bad, unlucky, and weird thing and stop being so scared to talk about it.  We need to realise that its ok to have any disability.  We need to further our expectations of what people with disability can really do".  [Dylan Alcott]

We stand with Dylan on addressing negative stigma. We invite everyone to have conversations that challenge their own perceptions of disability and to further their expectations of what people with disability can really do!

Join the conversation!!

#WishboneDay

You just never know

Samuel Peter Gibson at TEDxAuckland

Born with a rare condition called Osteogenesis Imperfecta he has broken nearly every bone in his body. Hear adventurer Samuel Gibson's #TEDxAkl talk on May5/6. http://pub.vitrue.com/uIvN
Posted by TEDxAuckland on Saturday, 2 April 2016

Quasi's new life in the Netherlands

Meet Quasi.  He is the neatest OIFE volunteer advocating for people from Syria and other countries in the "Arabian world"!  Read his amazing story.   

Refugees with Rare disorders and disabilities: Update on Qusai, 28 years old OI-friend from Syria, who had been forced...
Posted by OIFE - Osteogenesis Imperfecta Federation Europe on Friday, 4 March 2016

Please join us in welcoming Quasi to our Wishbone Day family.  

Jo Ragen finalist 2015 National Disability Awards

Today, many more people in Australia have learned about Wishbone Day and OI. Jo Ragen was a finalist for the 2015 National Disability Awards recognised for Excellence in Advocacy in celebration of International Day of People with Disability.

Image: Jo Ragen, Founding organiser of Wishbone Day being awarded for Excellence in Advocacy by Assistant Minister Alan Tudge at the 2015 National Disability Awards, Parliament House Canberra.

The Hon Christian Porter MP, Minister for Social Services said "the Awards are a fantastic celebration of the many achievements of Australians with disability and a vital part of the Commonwealth Government's celebration of International Day of People with Disability ... Thank you for your dedication and leadership - it is greatly appreciated and admired".

Read more:


National Disability Awards to be presented tonight in Canberra

National Disability Awards: Meet three finalists improving the lives of people with disabilities

Sharing real stories of people with disability

Finalists announced for 2015 National Disability Awards

Waterdown family's bond unbreakable

Zooey's parents were investigated for child abuse. A common story for families with OI. Why is Wishbone Day important? Because awareness makes a difference!

From the Flamborough Review
By Catherine Ohara

She’s only 23 months old, yet she has suffered 27 bone fractures. Despite her many injuries, Zooey Schneider’s spirit remains unbreakable. At a glance, you wouldn’t know that Zooey lives with a rare genetic condition. The adorable toddler is all smiles as she prepares to dig into her Happy Meal at the McDonald’s location on Parkside Drive. Her smile grows wider as she is presented with a colourful plastic figurine with yellow wings that match her bright t-shirt and floral headband. Read their whole story: Waterdown family's bond unbreakable

Happy Wishbone Day to our friends in Pakistan!

 A huge Congratulations to our friends in Pakistan for their first official Wishbone Day in Karachi.  Thank you to all who helped to create such a powerful event.  Awareness makes a difference!

HUGE celebrations for the #OI Community in Pakistan on @WishboneDay! Sincerest thanks #Australia @dfat for attending pic.twitter.com/9aAG8s3VtJ

— CLAN CHILD HEALTH (@clanchildhealth) May 6, 2015

[os-tee-oh-jen-uh-sis] [im-per-fek-tuh]

Joe Korkowski reports on the special day for Sophia Rose Nohre and the students at her school.

This year our kindergarten class wanted to raise awareness at our school for Wishbone Day and Osteogenesis Imperfecta with our friend Sophia. The project started small, but quickly grew as we worked with her family and gained assistance from outside resources. With the help of our good friends at Thrivent Financial we were able to purchase yellow t-shirts for all the students in our class with our themed slogan, “Can you say Osteogenesis Imperfecta?” on the front, and the phonetic pronunciation [os-tee-oh-jen-uh-sis  im-per-fek-tuh] with a definition on the back. 

Meet the Pegg Family!

Meet the Pegg family!  They're sharing their journey with OI through a series of videos. Watch them here or visit Team Maleah on Facebook!

The #WBDPhotoChallenge for May: All things #WISHBONEDAY!!

Use the month of May to raise awareness of OI, disability in general or perhaps go with a Wishbone Day Yellow themed month of photos!

 The rules are simple: 

• Use the challenge list (posted here) to inspire one photo (or other creative piece) each day 
• Find inspiration in your ordinary (or extraordinary) day! Take a photo.. 
• Share on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest  
• Join the community by tagging with #WBDPhotoChallenge (like and share with others)
• Have fun!!

The view from here #WBDPhotoChallenge is not unlike other photo-a-day challenges where participants draw inspiration from their ordinary lives, snap a photo and share with others. What is different about the #WBDPhotoChallenge is that each inspired image will be from the perspective of people with disability.

About the #WBDPhotoChallenge and FAQ

Why a photo challenge?
It's International Wishbone Day month! The view from here #WBDPhotoChallenge is a fun and creative contribution to our international efforts to bring awareness to the diversity of life with OI and disability.

When you view images from the #WBDPhotoChallenge you will see the world through the eyes of ordinary people with disability.


Who can participate in the #WBDPhotoChallenge?
Anyone with disability can participate in the challenge.


Do my images need to be disability focused?
No. Inspiration for the #WBDPhotoChallenge should be drawn from your ordinary day. The photo challenge will illustrate how ordinary life with disability really is.


Can my images be disability focused?
Of course! Your perspective is the key.


How do I share my #WBDPhotoChallenge photos?
You can share your photos on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, or twitter by including the hashtag #WBDPhotoChallenge.  

You can also view other peoples photos by searching for the #WBDPhotoChallenge hashtag.


Will others be able to see my #WBDPhotoChallenge images?
That is up to you. You decide if you share your pictures publicly or privately on your social media site. If you want others to view your #WBDPhotoChallenge (including us) then set your privacy setting on your images to public.


What if I miss a day on the challenge?
No problem. There are no rules to how you participate. If you miss a day or two or a few, don't stress. Just start back when you're ready. You can decide if you post catch-up photos or just start back on the next day. You decide. The idea is to have fun. 


Do I need to sign up?
No. Just start. Post your images with #WBDPhotoChallenge.


When will the challenge list be available? 
The challenge list will be available on the last Sunday of each month. You'll find the challenge list here on our website.

Want to play?

Get snapping! and share.

You can't buy your way out of Wishbone Day

Posted by Wishbone Day on Saturday, 18 April 2015

Wishbone Day is coming. Get your yellow on!

The challenge list - March

The rules are simple: 

• Use the challenge list each month (posted here) to inspire one photo (or other creative piece) each day 
• Find inspiration in your ordinary (or extraordinary) day! Take a photo.. 
• Share on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest  
• Join the community by tagging with #WBDPhotoChallenge (like and share with others)
• Have fun!!

The view from here #WBDPhotoChallenge is not unlike other photo-a-day challenges where participants draw inspiration from their ordinary lives, snap a photo and share with others. What is different about the #WBDPhotoChallenge is that each inspired image will be from the perspective of people with disability.

About the #WBDPhotoChallenge and FAQ

Why a photo challenge?
International Wishbone Day is fast approaching with only 3 months to go! The view from here #WBDPhotoChallenge is a fun and creative contribution to our international efforts to bring awareness to the diversity of life with disability.

When you view images from the #WBDPhotoChallenge you will see the world through the eyes of ordinary people with disability.


Who can participate in the #WBDPhotoChallenge?
Anyone with disability can participate in the challenge.


Do my images need to be disability focused?
No. Inspiration for the #WBDPhotoChallenge should be drawn from your ordinary day. The photo challenge will illustrate how ordinary life with disability really is.


Can my images be disability focused?
Of course! Your perspective is the key.


How do I share my #WBDPhotoChallenge photos?
You can share your photos on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, or twitter by including the hashtag #WBDPhotoChallenge.  

You can also view other peoples photos by searching for the #WBDPhotoChallenge hashtag.


Will others be able to see my #WBDPhotoChallenge images?
That is up to you. You decide if you share your pictures publicly or privately on your social media site. If you want others to view your #WBDPhotoChallenge (including us) then set your privacy setting on your images to public.


What if I miss a day on the challenge?
No problem. There are no rules to how you participate. If you miss a day or two or a few, don't stress. Just start back when you're ready. You can decide if you post catch-up photos or just start back on the next day. You decide. The idea is to have fun. 


Do I need to sign up?
No. Just start. Post your images with the #WBDPhotoChallenge.


When will the challenge list be available? 
The challenge list will be available on the last Sunday of each month. You'll find the challenge list here on our website.

Want to play?

Get snapping! and share.

---

Help us add to our FAQ.  What do you want to know about the view from here #WBDPhotoChallenge? (comment below)

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.

The challenge list - February

The rules are simple: 

• Use the challenge list each month (posted here) to inspire one photo (or other creative piece) each day 
• Find inspiration in your ordinary (or extraordinary) day! Take a photo.. 
• Share on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest  
• Join the community by tagging with #WBDPhotoChallenge (like and share with others)
• Have fun!!

The view from here #WBDPhotoChallenge is not unlike other photo-a-day challenges where participants draw inspiration from their ordinary lives, snap a photo and share with others. What is different about the #WBDPhotoChallenge is that each inspired image will be from the perspective of people with disability.

About the #WBDPhotoChallenge and FAQ

Why a photo challenge?
International Wishbone Day is fast approaching with only 4 months to go! The view from here #WBDPhotoChallenge is a fun and creative contribution to our international efforts to bring awareness to the diversity of life with disability.

When you view images from the #WBDPhotoChallenge you will see the world through the eyes of ordinary people with disability.


Who can participate in the #WBDPhotoChallenge?
Anyone with disability can participate in the challenge.


Do my images need to be disability focused?
No. Inspiration for the #WBDPhotoChallenge should be drawn from your ordinary day. The photo challenge will illustrate how ordinary life with disability really is.


Can my images be disability focused?
Of course! Your perspective is the key.


How do I share my #WBDPhotoChallenge photos?
You can share your photos on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, or twitter by including the hashtag #WBDPhotoChallenge.  

You can also view other peoples photos by searching for the #WBDPhotoChallenge hashtag.


Will others be able to see my #WBDPhotoChallenge images?
That is up to you. You decide if you share your pictures publicly or privately on your social media site. If you want others to view your #WBDPhotoChallenge (including us) then set your privacy setting on your images to public.


What if I miss a day on the challenge?
No problem. There are no rules to how you participate. If you miss a day or two or a few, don't stress. Just start back when you're ready. You can decide if you post catch-up photos or just start back on the next day. You decide. The idea is to have fun. 


Do I need to sign up?
No. Just start. Post your images with the #WBDPhotoChallenge.


When will the challenge list be available? 
The challenge list will be available on the last Sunday of each month. You'll find the challenge list here on our website.

Want to play?

Get snapping! and share.

---

Help us add to our FAQ.  What do you want to know about the view from here #WBDPhotoChallenge? (comment below)