How You Can Get Involved

If you clicked on this page, THANK YOU! I'm assuming that means you've caught Z's vision and want to help out.

There are many ways you can get involved. Don't feel limited (or overwhelmed) by my suggestions! Please feel free to share your ideas. I would love to see what talents and resources people have to offer.

CLOTHING

This will be one of our biggest needs. Due to the fragility of OI babies' bones, it is helpful to have clothing that does not have to be pulled over their heads and does not require arms to be pulled through sleeves. Velcro is our friend! Snap fronts also work well. I will have a tab with examples of altered clothes up soon. Z is sporting a beautiful altered dress to the right that has Velcro on both sides and on one shoulder.

If altering is not your thing, feel free to donate any newborn/preemie clothes and we can find someone to alter them.  Or if you are super-duper good with a needle, you are welcome to custom-design clothing!

BLANKETS

Z loved her soft, cuddly blankets! They were a comfort to her, especially during hospital visits. I would love to include a blanket in each package. Light-weight,soft fabrics work best as the OI babies run pretty warm and are notorious sweaters. Infant size works well because many OI babies are smaller than your average baby. Homemade blankets would be fantastic! Blankets with a Z stitched in the corner would be even better! (-: But, any blanket would be appreciated.





MUSLIN SWADDLE CLOTHS

 These worked great! They were light-weight (again with the sweating...), but still held a good swaddle. I know they sell them at Target and Babies R Us.






LITTLE BUDDIES

Oh, how Zayana loved her Peter Rabbit! It was a special gift from her Uncle and it rarely left her side. He was a very good friend during hospital visits, giving her something familiar to hold on to. I'm sure Z would want every OI baby to have a buddy.

Any little stuffed buddy will due. Small ones would work best, so that they are just the right size for cuddling!


BOOKS!

These little ones are SMART! Zayana loved to follow along with books. I would love to include a book in each package. Her personal favorite was The Hungry Caterpillar.
Touch and Feel books would work great!




MUSIC

Zayana loved listening to music and it was always playing in our home and in the hospital. Instrumental lullabies helped calm her down, especially during times of anxiety in the hospital. I would love to include a lullaby CD in each package.




HOMEMADE CARDS
We received many cards during our time with Zayana, and they brought much encouragement. I know some of you out there have mad card-making skills! I would love to have a homemade congratulation card included in the packages.

MONETARY DONATIONS
There will be various costs to consider, such as shipping, printing and miscellaneous expenditures. I am working toward getting non-profit status so that donations can be tax-deductible, but for the time being they will be solely out of the kindness of your heart (-:

RESOURCES
I am putting together a list of resources/helpful information for the parents. For those of you veteran momma and pappa lions, feel free to let me know about documents, link, info, etc... that was helpful to you.

TESTIMONIALS
I would like to include testimonials about those thriving with OI. I am looking for a variety of ages and types. If you and/or your child would like to share your story, please let me know!

Lofty ambitions, I know, and there are other ideas I have as well. I figure to aim high! It brings me such joy to think of how this will uplift OI babies and their families.

If you would like to donate or have suggestions, please contact me at fromzwithlove@yahoo.com.  I am working on getting a PO Box and a PayPal account to make things more convenient for the future.

Thank you, Everybody!!!