I am very happy to present the OIFE-newsletter with a new “face”! Besides some changes in the layout there will be a regular editorial part. Furthermore, in the left column you will not only find the topics of the newsletter but also information like for instance:

• current projects linked to a description on the website or a contact person
• news in brief
• an invitation to contact the editor if you have something to tell that could be of interest for our over 200 worldwide OIFE-newsletter subscribers
• a note if you like to support the work of OIFE with a donation
• a brief description of OIFE’s objectives

Stefanie Wagner

For the second time OIFE is running a photo contest this year. The aim is to get a nice collection of pictures of people with OI from all over the world. Everyone with a digital camera, young or old, can take part (only members of the jury and their family members are excluded). The rules are simple and there are some nice prices to be won! To take part a contest form must be filled out by both photographer and portrayed person. This form can be downloaded here.
For inspiration you can check some of the entries we received this year on the OIFE website

The prizes:

We award a first prize of 100 Euros or an MP3 player and a second prize of 50 Euros for the best pictures. These prizes have to be shared between the photographer and the portrayed person(s). In case of many good entries the jury is free to award extra prizes. Prizewinners will be contacted by us and announced on the OIFE website, there will be no other correspondence about the prizes.

The rules:

• Pictures should depict a person(s) with OI
• Pictures must be submitted by the original photographer and become property of the OIFE
• Both the photographer and portrayed person(s) consent to free use
and publication of pictures by the OIFE, (e.g. for promotional activities, the website or information materials)
• Each photographer can submit a maximum of 20 pictures
• The deadline to submit pictures is October 1st 2009
• Only digital entries will be accepted, these should be e-mailed to: secretary@oife.org together with a filled out contestants form

The OIFE EUROPASS is a personal document in the format of a passport. It is meant as a travelling companion and a guide to local OI assistance in foreign countries. It contains the statement that the bearer has OI, a brief explanation of what that means and how a person with OI should be treated .

Precautions to be taken with X-ray examinations are explained.

The contact list contains e-mail addresses and phonenumbers for personal assistance/information in a number of countries.

Members of OIFE member societies can obtain a copy of the EUROPASS from their national OI society. Others should contact the OIFE

OIFE is organizing a meeting on rehabilitation and physiotherapy in OI. Specialists in the field from all over Europe and abroad are expected to attend. The meeting will take place in November 2009 in the town of Rheinsberg, north of Berlin, Germany. We want to cover such topics as; physiotherapy concepts for children, assessment of motor function, post surgery rehabilitation, mobility aids, hydrotherapy, rehabilitation in adults, population based concepts of rehabilitation and interdisciplinary approach of treatment.

Please let us know if you want to be updated when further details become available about the program and registration procedure by sending a message to secretary@oife.org .
For questions about the program please contact the chairman of the organizing committee Taco van Welzenis

Julia Pfister, a 17 year old german student with OI type I, had the opportunity to go to the USA. She stayed there from September 08 until February 09 and lived the “normal” life of an american student.

OIFE: How did it come to your stay abroad and how did you organize it?
Julia: Well, my parents and I thought it might be a good idea for me to go abroad for some time, and we chose the United States. So my dad asked a befriend couple in the U.S. if they can help us to look for an institution for student exchange which could find a host family for me. But then the couple invited me to stay at their house! So we could start planning my big adventure!

First we had to look for an institution for student exchange in Germany, because they organize everything that is necessary (visa, flight, insurances etc.). All in all it took about half a year until I could go.

OIFE: How was your school day and did you understand everything easily?
Julia: The english lessons I took in my german school were sufficient. Also, everybody was anxious to speak slowly and clearly and after about 2-3 weeks I didn’t have problems any more. I even used their youth slang.

The school system in the US is completely different to ours in Germany: There is only one type of school and not three like in Germany. Students who find classes too difficult can change into a lower class. Each day before lessons started, the students had to stand up and promise they always do everything for their country! The lessons are not 45 minutes like in Germany but 60 minutes and they were easy to understand. When there is a test, you never have to write the answer as a text - you just choose between answer A, B, C and D. I found it very easy. So my school report grade was very good!

You only have six subjects and you have them every day! This was quite boring - every day the same schedule! History and english are obligatory but you can chose all the others. I decided to take mathematics, french, art and dancing.

OIFE: Dancing? How exciting!
Julia: Well, the steps and movements were very easy, this was no problem - anybody could have taken part!

Hip-Hop-dancing (Julia on the left)

landscape near Boise, Idaho

The OIFE International Youth Week 2009 will take place during the usual summer holiday of and together with the Italian youth group which will be in Centro Ferie Salvatore (you can take a look at: www.centroferiesalvatore.it )

This year you can participate a whole week from 17th July until 23rd July! We are not yet able to give you a detailed program because it also depends on the number of the participants and on how long they will stay (it is also possible to leave on 19th July). We hope many of you will stay with us for the entire week. We’ll be able to plan more activities and to enjoy the beach and sun for more days!!!

There are two main themes we’d like to speak about during the week:

• Sports for disabled people (we are trying to plan a number of different demonstrations of different sports such as wheelchair hockey, basketball, tennis, handbike ….)
• Travelling with O.I.

…OIFE meanwhile has:
members in 20 countries: Australia-Belgium-Croatia-Denmark-Ecuador-Finland-France-Georgia-Germany-Italy-Mexico-the Nether-lands-Norway-Perú-Portugal-Spain-Switzerland-Sweden-the United Kingdom-The United States of America

contacts to OI-associations and OI-groups in many other countries: Argentina-Austria-Bolivia-Brazil-Canada-China-Colombia-Greece-Israel-Japan-Korea-Malaysia-New Zealand-Panama-Poland-Romania-Serbia-Slovenia-South Africa-Taiwan-Venezuela

and contact to OI-people and their families in: Albania-Algeria-Armenia-Benin-Belarus-Belize-Bulgaria-Cameroon-Chile-China-Cyprus-Egypt-Estonia-Iceland-India-Indonesia-Ireland-Ivory Coast-Jemen-Kosovo-Latvia-Libya-Lithuania-Malawi-Maroc-Mongolia-Namibia-Nepal-Pakistan-The Philippines-Saudi Arabia-Sri Lanka-Sudan-Turkey-Uganda-Ukraina-Vietnam-Zimbabwe

Where do you know more OI-people? Let them find us - and help us to find them! Please contact the OIFE !