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.

 

If fundraising is your motivation for taking part in Wishbone Day, you've missed the point.

Wishbone Day is not a fundraising event. It is not a missed opportunity to raise money. If fundraising is your motivation for taking part, you've missed the point.

Every year in the lead up to Wishbone Day I am asked about why Wishbone Day is not a fundraising event. People often question it's design as a missed opportunity to raise money -- the typical purpose of awareness campaigns -- especially for those surrounding disability.

So let me explain.

People with OI, their families and friends created Wishbone Day. They wanted to be listened too. They wanted to be acknowledged and taken seriously. But most of all they wanted a community in which they were connected and that they belonged. Wishbone Day was created as a platform on which these voices could be heard and that communities could be built.

Fundraising was very deliberately left out of the Wishbone Day design and intention. Because if you couldn’t fundraise, there would be an opportunity to do something else:

When Wishbone Day was created it was an invitation to the world to join our OI community – and to become one with us. It was an invitation to have conversations about who we are and what matters most, and to have others really listen and to understand. It was an invitation to play with us, to work with us, to eat with us, to accept and love us, and to celebrate with us! It was an invitation to create together a community in which we all truly belonged.

Wishbone Day was a new beginning. And in accepting the Wishbone Day invitation you choose to become one with us. On Wishbone Day we ask that you join with us as equals … not to cure us or to make us better … but to really be with us … to celebrate all that we are together, right here, right now. Enough. Just as we are.

Wishbone Day yellow shines with optimism and carries that promise of a positive future. It really is that simple.

#WishboneDay

Happy Wishbone Day!

Jo Ragen

Wishbone Day Sydney - a yellow picnic in the park!

Awareness makes a difference

Becoming a scientist

Jazzy is 5 years old and is well on her way to becoming a scientist. Last week she had some pretty hardcore spinal surgery, but this week she was back to work and raising awareness for OI and The Children's Hospital at Westmead Bandaged Bear Appeal, while also pumping out some awesome science moves on the TODAY show. Give her a thumps up! Because #AwarenessMakesADifference! Remember, #WishboneDay is just around the corner.

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

Wishbone Day 2015

Wishbone Day is the largest community awareness effort EVER for osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). It has grown in size every year since it began in 2010. Thanks to all who shared their Wishbone Day spirit this year by tagging Wishbone Day in photos and stories, we bring to you this snapshot of Wishbone Day 2015.

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

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!

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!

Did you know?

Did you know that many children with OI (brittle bones) are misdiagnosed as 'abused children'? Awareness makes a difference! Help us to get the word out by joining our growing Wishbone Day community on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.  

Like, share and invite two of your friends to do the same!  

New members of the International OI Community in Pakistan!

On Tuesday 25 November CLAN was proud to partner with colleagues and families at the National Institute of Child Health (NICH) in Karachi to celebrate the launch of Pakistan's first Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) Support Club.

With around 16 families gathering to share stories, experiences and questions, this was an important day for connecting and supporting. Families were introduced to efforts internationally to optimise quality of life for children living with OI, and in particular, the fantastic achievements of communities in Vietnam and Indonesia (FOSTEO!!) were communicated. (read the full story)

I wonder what creative spirit will soar for Wishbone Day 2015?

For Wishbone Day 2014 Maleah spread the word on Wishbone Day and OI awareness by creating this terrific video about her life with OI.  Maleah reached audiences worldwide and her video has now been translated into multiple languages!

If you haven't seen it (or even if you have!) you should really watch it.  Here it is ...

Watching Maleah and her video today started us thinking ... I wonder what creative spirit will soar for Wishbone Day 2015?

Take the Wishbone Day challenge! Be creative. Be clever. Be heard.

#WishboneDay #NoFundraising because #AwarenessMakesADifference

It's not about the money, money, money...

The other day we posted about getting ready for Wishbone Day. We're using today's post to remind everyone why Wishbone Day is not a fundraising event.


In the video Jessie J (feat B.o.B) sings "It's not about the money, money, money. We don't want your money, money, money. We just wanna make the world dance, forget about the price tag..."
 

What? (I hear you say!)  No money? How can I make a difference to people living with OI?? What is this all about if you don't want the money??

We want you to use Wishbone Day and the Wishbone Day logo to promote awareness and to celebrate our lived experience of OI in all kinds of creative, fun, and exciting ways!!

You'll be amazed at what you can achieve when the focus is on promoting awareness and celebrating life instead of raising money! We were, when we first tried it!....  Magic happens!

Give it a go! and then let us know how it unfolds. We'll post your Wishbone Day stories through the Wishbone Day website for everyone to enjoy.

---

Ok, Ok but what if ... I still want to raise money? -  If you do want to do a fundraising event on another day, please contact your local OI Foundation or Association. We know they'd love your energy and support! If you're not sure how to contact your local OI Association check out our links page or drop us an email and we'll help you locate an OI association that can support you.

Great, but what if ... my awareness event just happens to raise some money? - We know that there are times when the natural process of awareness sometimes leads to funds being generated. Many times once people have had fun at a Wishbone Day event they naturally want to contribute further.  When this happens you should tell them that your local OI foundation would love to hear from them!  You could also make arrangements with your local OI association or contact your local rotary club to partner your event.

Rotary?  Why should I contact them?  You can learn more about how Rotary can assist the growth and development of Wishbone Day here. It is uber important to include your local Rotary when there are any monies involved.  Wishbone Day is a global event with varying laws and regulations in various countries around the world. Our Rotary partners will ensure that when funds are raised through Wishbone Day that they remain secure and are used to support legitimate and recognised OI programs worldwide.

Rotary are also one of the largest community organisations in the world so involving Rotary in as many ways as possible gives us great potential to make a difference worldwide!

Leave us a comment and let us know how your Wishbone Day event goes and don't forget to share with your family and friends!

(First published 22 April 2012)

Me, Myself and OI

We asked you to share your Wishbone Day, your way. This is a fantastic example. 
Maleah asks us to spread the word and share the clip. Let's do it! Share it at school, at work or at home. Because awareness makes a difference.

Do you cast shadows or open doors?

If you think awareness isn't enough ... just ask any person living with OI (or any other person labelled with disability) what awareness means to them.

In the video below, Aimee Mullins talks about the power of words and how words shape our thinking and influence how we relate to each other.

As you watch the video, please consider what reality you want to inspire. Do you cast shadows or open doors?

Wishbone Day is an opportunity for us to challenge assumptions, alter realities and create new possibilities.  How will you use Wishbone Day to open doors?

Please email us and let us know what you have planned.
Because awareness makes a difference!

(Original post: 9 April 2012)