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!