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

Wishbone Day - about changing perceptions!

Hi there!

My name is Brianna Hartmann. I have OI and I am also a pre-med student.
What does Wishbone Day mean to me?

To me, Wishbone Day is about changing people's perceptions of people with OI as well as raising awareness. I have spoken to many conferences of physical therapists, occupational therapists, doctors, medical students etc, about my experiences with OI. I do this to raise awareness within my medical community and colleagues and also to show that sometimes perceptions of living with a medical condition isn't always right.

I have been a cheerleader, in a marching band, part of a science team and much more. I want people to know that people with OI can do anything they choose!

Wishbone Day is another way to get my message out there - people with OI are not limited. Awareness really does make a difference! And I'm looking forward to 6 May 2013 next year!

Brianna Hartmann
Minnesota USA

The long awaited Wishbone Day 2012 video

Finally, the long awaited Wishbone Day 2012 video is here.!

Many thanks to Ann Barnes for volunteering her time to put together this compilation of 2012 Wishbone Day photos in my absence.  A great big thank you to those who submitted their photos by tagging Wishbone Day on our public Facebook page or submitted their photos directly via our photo dedicated email address.  Your efforts to share your Wishbone Day celebrations with the world are outstanding.

We'd love to hear more of your Wishbone Day stories.  Send to info@wishboneday.com so we can share them on our website for others to enjoy!

YELLOW a symbol for Wishbone Day and OI just like pink is a symbol for breast cancer

As we were preparing for yet another surgery I am reflecting back to the last few months. Wishbone day excited Kayte this year. From Early January when she began working on her science fair project, she KNEW she wanted to do something about OI so she could promote Wishbone Day. The events of Wishbone Day made her feel so special. She did great advocating for awareness. 

Thank you to the Wishbone Day team for planting the seed. I don't think any of us realise how big Wishbone Day will be one day. I truly believe most people will one day associate YELLOW with OI and Wishbone day, just as pink is a symbol for breast cancer.

THANK YOU for your hard work and dedication to the OI community!

Michelle Hoppe
Proud mum to Katye

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Do you have a Wishbone Day story you'd like to share?

Send it to info@wishboneday.com with a photo.

People should celebrate Wishbone Day because it's a party for my bones!

“Hey JuBee! Why is Wishbone Day important?” My spunky kid (again decked out in yellow well before May 6^th) replied, “Becaaaause I’m special mom!” I think that pretty much captures why we celebrate Wishbone Day. For us, Wishbone Day is a celebration of triumph through challenges. Of course, it’s about raising awareness of Osteogenesis Imperfecta, but our celebrations are focused on rejoicing about all the magnificent things that happen between fractures. That’s the stuff that makes our Ju special! Between the umpteen medical appointments and incessant mounds of paperwork to “manage OI,” Ajani has learned to climb a tree, make scones, ride a bike, skip, pop wheelies in his chair, clip coupons, read simple words, reciprocal climb stairs, count and add, check out library books, swing on the monkey bars, season chicken and self-advocate.

Ju’s such a confident, happy kid and he just loves to engage people. Right now, he thinks that any and everybody he sees in late April and May “is wearing yellow for Wishbone Day too Mom!” and most people “have bones like me.” I am so pleased that Wishbone Day gives him another opportunity to celebrate himself and all that is special about him. In Ajani’s words, “People should celebrate Wishbone Day because it’s a party for my bones and they can learn how to be my friend.” Atta boy Ju!

-Aiesha Oliver

Proud mom to the fabulous “almost five” JuBear: Adventurous bug hunter extraordinaire who happens to have Type III OI.