O.I Conference - Beyond the Breaks

A beautiful video/slideshow of the memories we had for the O.I conference 2011. Photographer: Sara.

Hey all you bloggers,

I decided to upload pictures on here of the O.I conference that went from the 25th - 27th of March this year. I was totally surprised by how much were involved and suffer Osteogenesis Imperfecta as I grew up not knowing anyone, I felt quite at home after the first hour as I started to get to know others. I no longer felt alone.

Shandelle, Peyton and Jared

As the second day went on, we all knew it was going to be jammed packed with different talks, we had Professor David Sillence talking to us about O.I and what was new, there was talks on spinal complications - which I might add had a lot of long words in there that I cannot pronounce. Talks of the Basilar Impression, O.I issues in preschool and primary school children, wish they had that around in my day. There was talks on Northcott with Andrew Longhurst, practical living tips and Fiona Winters talked to us about women with O.I and having children.

Jodie and Kristian releasing balloons in the memory of Celeste Bonetti who suffered O.I Osteogenesis Imperfecta.

in the Background, Jared, Kate, Abby and Mel.

With all the information and talks that were done over the weekend, I was amazed. It also felt good to know all this information for me so that I can take it into the future. I was also amazed by these people who have suffered O.I and yet there all inspirational people who definitely have a fun and cheeky side. I was blessed to be able to come to this conference and get to be able to exchange details and talk to them on Facebook. They are truly amazing people who will always help out each other and support each other as family.

Julie and Peyton

Ace, Peyton and Shandelle

My Story - Growing up with O.I

"I was always determined to follow my dreams with dignity and passion. I wouldn't let my disability get to me" - Peyton

My story started on the 3rd of January in 1989.

I was born at the Royal Women's Children's Hospital in Melbourne, where no doctors ever thought I could have been born with a disability, not even realizing that I broke my ribs and collar bone in that minute I was born. My mother was the only one who could tell something was not right, she noticed signs through my cries, sadly, the doctors kept telling my mother that I was perfectly healthy. It wasn't until I was six weeks old I was diagnosed with Osteogenesis Imperfecta Type 1.

When I was a baby I was constantly in plaster, I would break every six months maybe even shorter than that. When I reached three years old, I broke over 104 bones. I would break my ribs just by coughing or sneezing, but I guess what made my mum so proud was that I would always have a smile on my face, that I was brave in the face of the unknown.

Growing up was definately a challenge for me, I was not only disabled but went through child abuse due to my biological father. My family, mother and siblings, found this was hard. We managed through it when he left and my mother became the single parent of three. I was constantly in hospital getting re-rodded and breaking it was a lot on my mother and siblings.

During primary school it was definitely hard making friends. Although I don't remember a lot, I loved playing sports, I was in to swimming, basketball and baseball. All I can say was I was a little bit of a dare devil.

In my teens I got sent to Westmead Children's Hospital and was to be started on Permidronate, to strengthen my bones. In the first year of this I was then starting to walk again, feeling stronger and happier. Although there were some days where I felt sore and fatigued I managed it better than before. The doctors at Westmead noticed a major change in me as I became more mobile and had a lot more strength. Friends and family even started to notice.

As I broke my leg for my sixteenth birthday, everything started to go down hill, I was socially and emotionally unstable and I went through a major depression. I was in plaster for six months so I decided to go back to Westmead to fix the problem in my leg, which they then started me on Hydrotherapy and took me off the Permidronate. Within weeks I was becoming stronger; and became one of the highest level of achievers at the Westmead children's hospital I was to model in their 2006 Kidz Kalendar.

Time has passed since then, I have broken over 200 bones now but able to now ride a bike, play active sports and be a normal 22 year old. Although I still must watch out for breaking, I have become stronger both emotionally and well as physically. I know that I have a challenging but adventurous life ahead of me but now I know, I am not alone.

Right now, I am studying at Actors College of Theater and Television, hoping to get my diploma and to be an actress, I also would love to even start my own studio to teach disabled children and people of all ages, acting and dancing. Also right now, I am currently writing a book which I hope will be a big success and still would like to even keep modeling as well.