5 year old Mya is excited for Wishbone Day 2013

With less than 12 weeks until Wishbone Day 2013, Mya is planning her very own Wishbone Day celebration with her big brother Nigel. The last we heard she was working toward a Wishbone Day party, with lots of yellow and some good friends.  We can't wait to hear how her plans unfold as she organises her very yellow and fun day of awareness.  Way to go Mya!

How will you celebrate and raise awareness on Wishbone Day this year? Remember the focus is awareness - its not about the money ;-). What creative, fun and innovative ways will you use to change perceptions, attitudes, and understandings? The challenge is on! 

Let us know what you have planned for Wishbone Day 2013 by leaving a comment below.

In ASIA - Everyday is Wishbone Day!

It’s been five months past Wishbone Day but its essence still lingers and the realities of developing and poor resource countries are still etched on my mind. Asia is a very diverse region, and with the technology of social networking, OI families in our region are now connected , thanks to Wishbone Day and facebook. It is where the families share their experiences (good or bad), ask questions (simple or not so simple), and gives encouragement and support to those who are feeling alone and in doubt.

It is a challenge for us to raise OI awareness in our region, to reach out to other OI families and bring the positivity, that sometimes, is the only thing that keeps some families going (yes it’s true!). Raising OI awareness is not just a one-time thing. It doesn’t end after Wishbone day. It is a continuous process, a lifetime commitment for most of us. But still, the root of our problem is the lack of it.

That’s why we have to make everyday feel like Wishbone day. Every opportunity to involve others and raise awareness counts. Be it in our children’s school, hospital, friends and classmates. Every person oriented, can be another source of information for others. And so the chain of information starts with us and ends up at infinity. Through this we can make a difference one step at a time.

Jeneth Catapang
Wishbone Day Liaison - Asia
asia@wishboneday.com

Wishbone Day 2012. World Osteogenesis Imperfecta Day in Spanish-Speaking Countries

A day in the calendar for wearing yellow.

Once again this year, the international community grouped around the osteogenesis imperfecta celebrated on 6th may the "Wishbone Day" or "World OI Day" and Spanish-speaking countries also took part in the celebration.

Our OI Hispanic community covers the American continent, from Mexico to Argentina, and Spain, in Europe. We are a community with specific ties based on the OI and the language. As you know, in all of these countries, the same language is spoken since 1492, when Christopher Columbus discovered the American continent for the Kingdom of Castile, in Spain.

Wishbone Day was born on 2010, in Australia, and it has been especially spread through the Internet. This is the third year that it is celebrated. I must admit that it's incredible the fact that the celebration has been spread so quickly, especially in our international community of affected people, parents and friends related to OI.

Personally, I have had the privilege of liaising with the Wishbone Day Team for Spanish-speaking countries this year.

The work of a liaison for the Wishbone Day consists of contacting people and Associations and motivating them so that they celebrate the World OI Day on 6th May wearing yellow and spreading a positive message in relation to what means a life with OI. So simple and so complicated at the same time.

At the moment, our main means of spreading the word about Wishbone Day, is the Internet. Where there is no Internet, it is more difficult to get the message across there.

From my perspective, it is easy to see the differences between the celebration of Wishbone Day in our Spanish-speaking countries and the celebration in other countries.

In the Anglosphere, the Associations of OI are principally Associations of patients. In our Spanish-speaking countries, there are principally parents' Association who are united to get treatment or better opportunities for their children. This means also a different way of focusing and facing the Wishbone Day.

In the Anglosphere, the typical celebration of Wishbone Day is a celebration in family or with friends. But in our Spanish-speaking countries the importance of parents for organising a party has no limits. This is evidenced by the celebrations that take place in Mexico, Panama or Spain.

In short, this is what happened in our Spanish-speaking countries last 6th May:

Mexico
The Foundation Angelitos de Cristal organised an outdoor party that combined Wishbone Day, Mother's day and Children's Day at the same time.

Panama
The OI Panamanian Foundation celebrated on 6th May a party with an human chain and a march by the CintaCostera.

Peru
The OI Peruvian Association got the members of the Association together in its head office to celebrate a party. The occasion was also used to celebrate Mother's Day.

Spain
In Spain, Ahuce (Brittle Bone Disease Spanish Association) and Amoi (OI Association of Madrid) carried out several public events. Some members with entrepreneurial spirit decided to organise some special events that day:

Information stand of Ahuce, in the Medieval Market of the city.
Talavera de la Reina (Toledo)

Information stand in Otura, Granada.

Picnic in the house of M. Barbero, in Tarragona.

Children's workshop in a school. Beniel, Murcia.

Sport activities to spread the OI, in Torrelavega,
Lucas' homeland, our most famous child with OI.

Municipal Band from Valencia de Don Juan,
in concert for the 6th May.

All of them are good ways to celebrate 6th May. The organisation of Wishbone Day only asks for this day to be useful for spreading a positive message about what can people with OI do. Anything else?

It is necessary a minimum of protocol. A minimum of elements that identify us, like a group, celebrating an international specific day: wearing yellow and using the logo. Anything else?

I think so. Every person and every group have specific reasons for wearing yellow on 6th May and all of them are valid. Some people will celebrate that life is beautiful and that it is beautiful having friends and other people will take advantage of the opportunity for raising population and public authorities awareness to their necessities. There will be even people that use the day for daydreaming with the hope that a research team, somewhere, gets eventually a cure. Why not?

When we know better, we do better.

Since joining the Wishbone Day 2012 team and taking on the role of Regional Liaison for North America, Wishbone Day has brought me a great sense of pride and connection. It has helped me find my stride in creating greater awareness for Osteogenesis Imperfecta.

There is an old saying that says "when we know better, we do better".

At the end of the day if I have made one more person aware of OI that may have never before heard of it, then my job is done.

Heather Anderson
North America