Testimonials
The assistance the Fund provided allowed me space to breathe
Nicole Spencer
Occupation: Musician
A combination of fibromyalgia and the break-up of my family made it difficult to work and I found myself without income. Food came first, so the bills had to wait and I fell behind financially.
Trying … ...
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The assistance the Fund provided allowed me space to breathe
Nicole Spencer
Occupation: Musician
A combination of fibromyalgia and the break-up of my family made it difficult to work and I found myself without income. Food came first, so the bills had to wait and I fell behind financially.
Trying to get back on your feet after trauma can be difficult, especially when you are a parent with health issues. Thanks to the Actors’ Fund of Canada, not only could I feed my child, but I also kept my phone, my shelter and had money for transportation – all necessities if you want to find work.
The people at the Fund showed compassion and understanding when handling my situation and the assistance the Fund provided allowed me space to breathe and later to develop Project Let Me Be Strong, a resource for people fighting back against domestic violence.
Not only is my life on track again, but I have also been able to return to my creativity. I have released a CD and just recently signed a publishing deal to write my autobiography! I continue to create new music and abstract art and develop my children’s book series while working on Project Let Me Be Strong. For those who work in the creative industries, the Actors’ Fund really can be a lifeline during a time of need.
Sabryn Rock
Occupation: Actor
When emergency surgery took me out of commission, the Fund had my back
When I found out that I was going to require knee surgery for an injury I had received while doing a show the year before I was in a panic. It was a last minute, last resort decision which did … ...
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Sabryn Rock
Occupation: Actor
When emergency surgery took me out of commission, the Fund had my back
When I found out that I was going to require knee surgery for an injury I had received while doing a show the year before I was in a panic. It was a last minute, last resort decision which did not leave me any time to set myself up financially for the recovery. When I was told that as a best case scenario I would be immobile for the better part of six weeks I had no idea how I was going to pay my bills and afford medication during that period.
I applied to my insurance company for help, but as is often the case, my application was delayed and prolonged for months. At the same time my recovery was taking longer than expected and bills were piling up. When I came to the Fund I didn’t feel I had many options. I can’t overemphasise how great my experience with the Fund was. Those I spoke to at the Fund gave me reassurance and encouragement which made my situation feel less daunting and intimidating
The Actors’ Fund was able to help me out financially until my insurance kicked in, providing a financial safety net while I was in a period of limbo. If the money had not been available to me I most likely would have rushed back to work before my body was ready simply because of financial pressures; this could have resulted in further injury or undo any rehabilitation I had gone through. Instead I was able to feel secure and be patient with myself and put my energy into getting my instrument, i.e. my body, back to good health.
I am a wonderful example of someone who desperately needed help and didn’t have many options. I thank God the Actors’ Fund was able to help me and am so grateful for the assistance. When you give to the Actors’ Fund you are helping down and out artists, young and old get back on their feet and back into the community as fast as possible. I am a more humble and compassionate person because of the Actors Fund. I cannot wait to get back to work so I can give, give, GIVE back to the Fund.
Thomas Osmond
Affiliation: I.A.T.S.E. Local 873
Occupation: Driver
The Actors’ Fund lifted the financial burden and gave me some peace of mind
Recently, health issues forced me to stop working. I was able to meet my immediate expenses, but when the bill came up for my family health benefits, I found that I simply didn’t have the money to pay several months’ … ...
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Thomas Osmond
Affiliation: I.A.T.S.E. Local 873
Occupation: Driver
The Actors’ Fund lifted the financial burden and gave me some peace of mind
Recently, health issues forced me to stop working. I was able to meet my immediate expenses, but when the bill came up for my family health benefits, I found that I simply didn’t have the money to pay several months’ worth of insurance premiums all at once. As a single father of two young boys, proper medical and dental coverage is essential for my sons, and for me, so that I can stay healthy enough to take care of them.
The Actors’ Fund lifted the financial burden and gave me some peace of mind. Now I can rest assured that we can receive proper medical care when we need it, and I have retained the financial freedom to maintain a healthy lifestyle for my family.
Debbie Read
Occupation: Stage Manager
When I lost that contract at the last minute, the thought of spending the summer without my prescriptions was overwhelming
For the past 12 years, I’ve worked as Assistant Stage Manager for a Toronto company, doing two shows a year for them. I was scheduled to work on their spring show, but a week before I was supposed to start … ...
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Debbie Read
Occupation: Stage Manager
When I lost that contract at the last minute, the thought of spending the summer without my prescriptions was overwhelming
For the past 12 years, I’ve worked as Assistant Stage Manager for a Toronto company, doing two shows a year for them. I was scheduled to work on their spring show, but a week before I was supposed to start my contract the company was forced to cancel, leaving me with a sudden gap in my income. While I’m under contract Equity benefits cover the cost of my arthritis prescriptions. When I lost that contract at the last minute, the thought of spending the summer without my medications was overwhelming.
The assistance I received from the Fund meant that I didn’t have to choose between paying for my prescriptions or paying my rent. I can’t begin to tell you what it meant for the Actors’ Fund to have my back, helping me through a difficult time. The knowledge that the Fund exists should be a comfort to anybody working in this industry. Without our support, however, the Fund wouldn’t exist. If you want to support your community, consider supporting the Fund.
Rob Dowding
Affiliation: I.A.T.S.E. Local 891
Occupation: Lamp Operator
The Actors’ Fund gave me hope when I was hopeless
After a difficult year I had just been offered a new job and arrived on set excited about starting work. Three hours later I was in the hospital.
A 130 pound super crank fell out of a truck, splitting my … ...
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Rob Dowding
Affiliation: I.A.T.S.E. Local 891
Occupation: Lamp Operator
The Actors’ Fund gave me hope when I was hopeless
After a difficult year I had just been offered a new job and arrived on set excited about starting work. Three hours later I was in the hospital.
A 130 pound super crank fell out of a truck, splitting my skull and cutting me from neck to ear. The accident left me with stitches and severe neck injuries that would require ten weeks of physiotherapy and more time to fully recover. It could have been a lot worse, but at the time it seemed like the worst thing that could have happened.
Upset and worried about the future I called the Actors’ Fund. I was treated me with respect and understanding, something which came as an immediate relief. They paid my rent and bills during a month when I never could have done it on my own and would have faced eviction. Having them help felt like having a friend in bad times and the support they gave allowed me to weather a rough period.
Accidents like mine happen all the time, and there is no way of knowing if it will be you or somebody you care about who will need assistance from the Fund. That’s why I would urge everybody who is working to donate what they can so that the Fund remains able to support those in need. What the Fund gives is so much more than money. They can really help to restore a person’s hope for the future, I know because they restored mine.
There are many wonderful charities out there and you should give to the ones you feel passionate about. That said, those of us in the entertainment industry should remember that we have our own charity that exists to serve our community. If you can, please support the Fund. It can make a huge difference in somebody’s life. It did in mine.
