Testimonials

“The AFC’s support came at a time when we were very close to the edge”

– Andrew Currie and Mary Anne Waterhouse
Writer, Director and Producer,Production Manager

Our son Benjamin Waterhouse-Currie was born at 24 weeks and five days, weighing 1lb 6oz. Ben spent 11 months in hospital, had many surgeries, endless medications, a breathing apparatus and oxygen for two years, and a feeding tube for three.

And yet, we’ve all been incredibly lucky. By 4, Ben didn’t need oxygen, a feeding tube or any medications. He’s now 7 years old and a smart, funny, talented singer who keeps defying early predictions. When Ben was 8 months old, his lead respirologist had told us that his lungs would develop, but “he probably won’t become an opera singer”- well, as of April 2017, Ben has just been invited to join the Canadian Children’s Opera.

The AFC’s support came at a time when we were very close to the edge, early in Ben’s life, when we were at our most vulnerable.

To use a driving metaphor, we were on a high mountain road, a steep cliff on both sides. It was dark, and raining, and we were really tired. It’s not that we needed anyone to drive the car, we just needed someone to take the wheel for a little while.

Our friends, family and The AFC did that for us, and for that we will be forever grateful.