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

  

Wishbone Day Visual Media Projects - meet Ann Marie

Following Wishbone Day each year we have produced a video that captures Wishbone Day in all its bright yellow glory and showcases the amazing awareness raising efforts from around the world.

Ann Marie Barnes has been a long time supporter of Wishbone Day and we're excited to share with you that this year Ann Marie from Ulysses Blue will produce our Wishbone Day 2012 video.

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Meet Ann Marie Barnes - Wishbone Day visual media projects 

Ann Marie Barnes is the Director and founder of Ulysses Blue; a visual media production company situated in Crows Nest, Sydney. Ann Marie has been a photographer from the moment she was able to hold a camera so brings her passion into her work each and every day. Ann Marie also has experience in cinematography and has worked on documentary and corporate film projects. She has a refreshing enthusiasm and dedication to her visual endeavours and the people she works with. Ann Marie also enjoys working with non-profit organisations. She has previously worked with PDCN (Physical Disability Council of NSW), Rosemount, Youth Off The Streets, Models of Diversity and continues to help on Wishbone Day projects.  www.ulyssesblue.com

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Want to be included in the Wishbone Day 2012 video?

If you'd like your event photos to be included in the Wishbone Day 2012 video please send your photos or videos to Ann Marie at photos@wishboneday.com no later than Friday 26 May, 2012.

You must email us your photo for it to be included in the Wishbone Day 2012 video!

For best results Ann Marie has requested that you send photos in high resolution. A file size of at least 1MB if possible.  If you need more information about how to upload your photos or how to get the best quality images please email Ann Marie at photos@wishboneday.com  

PERMISSION TO USE YOUR IMAGES:

• When you send us your photos via the photos@wishboneday.com email address you are granting Wishbone Day permission to use your images in the Wishbone Day 2012 video and to including on the Wishbone Day www.wishboneday.com and our facebook fan page.
• Your photos will never be given to others or used in any way other than to promote Wishbone Day.  
• Your surname will never be identified with your photo.
• Please only send us photos that you have permission to use.
• When you send your photo please also include a note about where in the world the photo was taken.

Getting ready for Wishbone Day?

Can you believe we're roaring up through April already? Wishbone Day will be here in no time!! We thought now was a good time to talk about how you can contribute to the biggest awareness event ever for OI.

The most important thing is that Wishbone Day is not a fundraising event. Wishbone Day is all about recognising and respecting people for who they are, just the way they are!

On Wishbone Day we want you, your family and friends and most of all your community to celebrate with us. All over the world, Wishbone Day events are fun times with the purpose of raising positive awareness of OI. Through Wishbone Day celebrations we can highlight the need for better access, greater understanding and how individuals and communities can make a difference through their interactions and decisions every day. Take a look at this video to learn a little more about this idea.

video by Ulysses Blue

Be creative! Be collaborative! But most of all make it FUN!  We want the world to learn that OI is no Show Stopper!

The most exciting part of Wishbone Day is the creative and fun ways that people choose to celebrate and to raise awareness.

Last year there were many Bright Ideas for Wishbone Day including a football team,  poems and videos, ribbons and bows, things to eat, lots of awesome handmade items and t-shirts, just to name a few. Check out this Wishbone Day video for more inspiring Wishbone Day ideas!



Join our Wishbone Day challenge by bringing a creative edge to your Wishbone Day - Make it bright and beautiful! and be sure to send us your photos! Why? Because awareness makes a difference!

Do you have plans for your Wishbone Day?  Let us know by commenting below or by sending us an email. 

Wishbone Day is a collective STRONG!

The excitement is growing around the world as plans for Wishbone Day 2012 become known. Our friends in Spain describe Wishbone Day as a collective STRONG! pronouncing "we are not rare, only minority." The Spanish community have heard this message loud and clear and have proclaimed that this statement marks the beginning of a change that is occurring. Wishbone Day is here to stay!

Torrelavega, Spain are planning many exciting events to mark Wishbone Day 2012 including this Wishbone Day challenge!

What's possible?

Wishbone Day started with the question "What's possible?"

Since then Wishbone Day has surged its way across the world raising awareness about Osteogenesis Imperfecta.

Wishbone Day is making a difference through each and every one of you who embrace the fun and joy of Wishbone Day!  We've seen improved networks and supports, better access to schools and other community agencies, greater understanding from communities and an overwhelming burst of enthusiasm towards action and hope for the future.

We love hearing your stories about how Wishbone Day has made a difference to your life, the amazing people you've met and the fun you've had on Wishbone Day. :-)

So what's possible for Wishbone Day in 2012?

What's possible for you in 2012?

What's possible for people with OI? What can we do in the world?

Click the Post a Comment link below and tell us!
We want to hear from you what's possible!!

Wishbone Day Challenge

Did you know ... that access to schools, workplaces and other community venues can be a challenge for people living with OI?

Join our #WishboneDayChallenge.  What changes can you make to achieve better access where you live?

Welcome to our friends in Vietnam

With the support of CLAN, the National Hospital of Pediatrics (NHP) in Hanoi, Children's Hospital Westmead (CHW in Sydney, Australia), the Rotary Club of Dee Why Warringah, Wishbone Day and other key partners, the launch of Vietnam's Inaugural Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) Club was achieved!

This was a special day with a gathering of 74 families all with children who are living with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) in Vietnam. We are excited that Wishbone Day 2012 will be celebrated by our OI Families in Vietnam and that ongoing development for awareness and better outcomes for families.    

Here is a reflection of this amazing day from CLAN.

 

It's almost launch day!

Thanks to our great friends at CLAN, the National Hospital of Pediatrics (NHP) in Hanoi, Children's Hospital Westmead (CHW in Sydney, Australia) and other key partners, we'll see the launch of Vietnam's Inaugural OI Club on 14th November. 

We're super excited about this life changing event! Yes, you heard it right - LIFE CHANGING! About 120 children will immediately benefit from the launch of this OI club that will continue to benefit families for generations to come.    

If you know of families living in this region please be sure to let them know. AWARENESS MAKES A DIFFERENCE!  We'll look forward to bringing you updates soon.  

Thanks to our friend Yenthanh Mac for translating so many OI resources into Vietnamese including our Wishbone Day video!

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 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!!

HAPPY WISHBONE DAY!

Wishbone Day 2011 has exceeded all expectations - yet again! 

We've had communities all over the world celebrate WIshbone Day and raise awareness of OI. Those who celebrated with us last year had plans for a bigger and better Wishbone Day this year. They achieved! Well done!! We also welcomed many new Wishbone Day supporters this year.

Our Wishbone Day ambassadors have been creative in their awareness raising.  By far these are the best Wishbone Day TShirt creations.  Don't they look great?!

  
Here is Catie sharing her Wishbone Day message with her peers at school.  

And Jakob produced this great video to help his school friends to understand OI better and learn about Wishbone Day.

We've received hundreds of photo contributions and all I can say is that I have never seen so much yellow in all of my life!  Truly amazing!!  Here is a sneak peek of some Wishbone Day celebrations :-)  

 

Be sure to send your photos to be included in our Wishbone Day photo album.  We're updating our album daily so send in your photo contributions!  For Facebook users many of the photos are available on www.facebook.com/WishboneDay.  If you're not on Facebook never fear, all the photos will soon be viewable directly from our website - so, watch this space!

An official Wishbone Day video is in the making.  If you'd like your photo to be included in the Wishbone Day 2011 video (or photo album) please make sure your photos are submitted no later than Monday 23 May.  You can send your photo contributions to info@wishboneday.com

It's been a busy few days for Wishbone Day with the majority of events taking place over the weekend. We also know that in many parts of the world Wishbone Day celebrations will continue for a couple weeks as part of conferences, clinics and other organised activities. Please keep us posted on your events as they happen! and don't forget to send your photos.

I'd like to thank everyone for the amazing journey that Wishbone Day 2011 has been so far. The support and awareness shown around the world has been incredible!  

We'd like to finish our post today by asking you to comment on this post. Tell us: What does Wishbone Day mean to you?

It's Wishbone Day eve!

Did you know that it will be Wishbone Day in New Zealand first!?  Closely followed by Australia, Japan, Tokyo and China, Nepal, France and the UK then Brazil, Canada and finally the USA!    With a few others in between.  

The next 48 hours we will see Wishbone Day celebrations right across the world.

Enjoy this time with family and friends!  and be sure to send us your celebration photos!!!!!

Happy Wishbone Day friends.

Just 3 days to go!

Wishbone Day is almost here!  I'm excited!

It's brilliant to see so many great celebrations being planned around the world.  We know that in 2011 Wishbone Day will be celebrated across Australia, Oceania, North and South America, Asia and Europe.

This year we have welcomed many new friends from around the world and look forward to this growing trend as Wishbone Day reaches more people to raise awareness.

If you are not represented on our Wishbone Day map (below) please drop us an email to let us know that you will be celebrating Wishbone Day where you live. We want to acknowledge everyone celebrating Wishbone Day in the world!!

Wishbone Day celebrations have been busy in the planning phases.  Ribbons, t-shirts, posters, jewellery, trinkets and other yellow decorations have filled living rooms, offices and school class rooms across the world in preparation for celebrations this week.  We know there's going to be Wishbone Day classroom and office activities, picnics, parties, morning and afternoon teas.

If you're still looking for some creative inspiration for your own Wishbone Day celebrations take a look at the Wishbone Day Bright Ideas shared by our Wishbone Day supporters around the world. If you have something to share drop us a note and let us know. We love reading your comments - so please click on the comments link below and tell us what you're planning.

Our friends in Spain have begun our Wishbone Day celebrations with a pre-Wishbone Day family reunion.   A great day had by all and lots of yellow to raise positive awareness of OI.  

Remember we LOVE your photos of your Wishbone Day celebrations - so please share them with us! We want the world to see how Wishbone Day 2011 was celebrated around the world.

Send your photos to info@wishboneday.com so we can include the images in our Wishbone Day 2011 video slideshow!

We've got you covered

We're in the last couple of weeks before Wishbone Day 2011 and the whole world is in full preparation for a very yellow celebration!  If you haven't got your yellow ready to go, never fear! - we have you covered.

We've got Wishbone Day gear to suit everyone.  T-shirts, hoodies, magnets, stickers, drink bottles and much more.  Be sure to order soon to make sure your Wishbone Day gear arrives at your place before May 6th.  Check out the Wishbone Day online store for some great awareness raising items.

Don't forget you can also get your Lucky Break Wishbones in time for Wishbone Day! These little Wishbones are a unique and fun way to share Wishbone Day in 2011.

Our friends at Lucky Break Wishbones are offering Wishbone Day supporters worldwide a 10% discount on all wishbones and FREE shipping for all orders of 100 wishbones or more.  Your order will be shipped within 24 hours -- no matter where you are in the world!

Click here to download your order form

Lucky Break Wishbones will also donate a portion of their proceeds to Wishbone Day! Win-Win!

Get creative this Wishbone Day

There are many ways you can express yourself this Wishbone Day.  Here are just a few suggestions that our Wishbone Day supporters made themselves at home.

Yellow Wishbone Day ribbons

Wishbone Day figures made from yellow and black pipe cleaners.

Wishbone Day pop-up-cut-outs

Wishbone Day yellow finger nails!

Learn about bones cut out skeleton

A yummy Wishbone Day cake

or cookies!

Wishbone Day pompom creatures

Hand out a Wishbone Day info sheet

Wishbone Day yellow shoes!

Fancy Wishbone Day yellow glasses!

Yellow hair?

A HAPPY! yellow puppy

A yellow Car

There are many ways to express yourself on Wishbone Day. 

We love reading your creative ideas - so click on the comment link below and share your ideas for Wishbone Day!

BEFORE and AFTER

It's hard to believe that this is only our 2nd International awareness day for OI - Wishbone Day!

We've grown so much and spread so far. Wishbone Day has achieved so much and made 1000's of new friends along the way. 


Wishbone Day 2011 will be celebrated across the world in playgroups and pre-schools, schools, universities, local and international businesses and organisations, with kids and adults of all ages, in small and large community groups.  There will be Wishbone Day inspired t-shirts, posters, badges, hats, pins, ribbons and door hangers.  Wishbone Day inspired picnic days, morning tea's, dinner parties, congress meetings, playgroups, craft sessions, information sessions, newsletter segments, TV advertising, radio broadcasts and so much more.    

Check out this very cool BEFORE and AFTER snapshot

 

How will you celebrate Wishbone Day 2011?

Keep sharing Wishbone Day with the world.
We still have a lot of people to reach!

Sharing is caring

Have you Wishbone Day news or events
you'd like to share with others?

Let us know so we can add it to the Wishbone Day website!!

Send a short note including dates, locations and contact details if appropriate.
We're happy to add interest stories, news and events.

Email info@wishboneday.com

You're invited!

Calling all Sydney-siders!

If you're living in or visiting Sydney on Saturday 7th of May, then pack the picnic basket, get your yellow on and head to Bicentennial Park, Homebush for some Wishbone Day fun.

Time flies when we blink!

The new year is well and truly underway and before we know it Wishbone Day 2011 will be done and dusted for another year. Time flies when we blink!

• Don't let our friends, family and colleague miss the opportunity to get involved with Wishbone Day this year. Take the time to extend an invite to all those new to your networks or consider linking Wishbone Day on your website.
• Start having or continue conversations about how you will celebrate Wishbone Day this year and challenge others to do the same.
• Consider starting a unique Wishbone Day tradition at your place -- what might that be?