Cameron is starting S1 and has a condition called osteogenesis imperfecta that causes brittle bones and has led to over 100 breaks. He uses a wheelchair and may need some assistance in school. Cameron wants students to know that he is like them and enjoys the same activities. He hopes they will feel comfortable asking him questions and asks that they be careful around him due to his condition.

1. A wee bit about me.
• My name is Cameron and I'm
just about to go into S1 from
Strath of Appin Primary
• I'm from Glasgow originally
but have lived in Appin for 4
years now.
• I live with my parents,
brother Max and our two
cats - Lucy and one eyed,
deaf Betty.
• I love all sports but
especially football.

2. Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Some of you might already know me
but for those who don't, I have
a condition called Osteogenesis
Imperfecta (which sounds a bit
fancy!) but it means I have
brittle bones so spend a lot of
time like this!
I've had in the region of 100 bone
breaks since I was born.
It also means that I'm really small
for my age but don't worry, I
make up for that :)

3. Why a presentation about me?
I'm not different or any more special than anyone else so why are you
watching a slideshow about me?
Having OI means that I break bones a lot and have to use a wheelchair to
get around. It also means that I need a little bit more help than most
people. And it means that there's a few things you'll have to be a bit
careful about around me.
Sometimes people feel a bit awkward around someone in a wheelchair. They
don't know if it's rude to ask questions about why they use the chair or
they don't know if I'm going to be just like them, like the same things
and do the same things.
Of course, I'm just the same as you and like all the same things (unless
that's tomatoes and a certain football team) and I'm more than happy
for you to ask me questions. Just incase, though, I'll try to answer
some of them here.

4. What is OI?
• OI isn't an illness and isn't
something you can "catch".
• The main symptoms of OI are
breaking bones easily,
sometimes even without trauma
or something causing the break.
• There are lots of different
types of OI but I have a severe
type which means that as well as
breaking bones, it affects my
muscles, joints, ligaments, teeth
and makes me bruise like a
peach!
• It also means that sometimes I
can get tired and suffer pain.

5. What does it mean for me at school?
• Having OI means that I have to be careful in school, especially
as it's so busy.
• I'll have to leave classes a minute or two after everyone else,
just so I don't get crushed in the crowds.
• I'll do the same as everyone else but sometimes will just have to
do it a little bit differently.
• In some classes I might have to use a computer or tablet as my
brain works faster than I can write!
• I'll have someone to help me get around school/transfer out of
my wheelchair/reach things I can't quite reach!

6. Could you do me a favour?
I hope you don't mind if sometimes I ask you to help me. Maybe
move some chairs out of the way or fetch something that is out
of my reach or difficult for me to get to.
I'll join in with the same things as everyone else and enjoy
breaktimes etc but could I just ask you to be a little bit careful
around me. Heavy swinging bags could break my arm, as could a
person falling into me. I'd be grateful if you could allow a bit of
extra room around me to manouevre my wheelchair. It'll make
things easier for me and save you having your toes run over by a
100kg chair!
The most important thing to ask you is to please not pull, push, grab
or twist my limbs as that'll definitely mean a trip to A&E!

7. The really important stuff
I hate breaking bones but it's something that does and
will happen to me. Hopefully it won't happen in school
but chances are....
If I do break something this is what to do:
• Please don't in any cicumstances touch me, move me
or try to see where the break is. Even if you know
first aid.
• Fetch a member of staff straight away.
• Don't crowd around me. Just one or two people will be
enough to keep me company until help arrives.
• Listen to me and what I'd like you to do to help me.

8. Thank you
Thank you for taking a few minutes to
watch my slideshow.
I know I'm prone to breaking my bones
but please don't worry about
spending time with me incase you
"cause" a break. Breaks happen to
me all the time, sometimes when I'm
sitting doing nothing so I'm not
going to blame anyone if I hurt
myself.
I'd much rather have fun, take part in
everything that I can and spend time
with people and maybe have the odd
broken bone than being sat alone
because people are worried they
might hurt me.