Thanks for your support of me and my work with the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation. As you know, I have been active in the National Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation (OIF) for the past 34 years. (Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) is commonly known as brittle bone disease). My daughter Mary Alice, who is now 37 years old, was diagnosed with OI when she was 5 months old. She now lives in Louisville, Kentucky where she is Senior Pastor of the Highland Baptist Church of Louisville. She married Dr. Evan Jacoby in June of last year. The fact that she has matured and has the confidence to live an independent life is attributable to the support that we have received from the OIF over the years.
As young parents, Martha and I struggled to understand OI. OIF has served us for many years with information, research and a strong network of clinicians as well as families impacted by OI.
The OIF will be holding its national conference in Omaha, Nebraska next month (July 19th through 21st). I am very proud to say that Mary Alice will be the keynote speaker at the opening session of the national conference this year. She will be sharing the story of her recovery journey from a fall in August of 2023, when she shattered her kneecap. As part of the conference again this year, the OIF will be holding a National Wheel and Walk to raise funds for OIF. Martha and I have the honor of co-chairing this fundraising effort this year. I had the honor of serving as the President of the National OI Foundation Board of Directors from 2013 to 2016. I would greatly appreciate it if you would join me in contributing to Team Birdwhistell. Again, this is to help the Foundation raise funds for services they provide directly to the individuals and families impacted by OI.
