Sir Sean's the best medicine for Oliver

Published on Friday 18 June 2010 10:09

A TODDLER who underwent open heart surgery at just 16 days old received a boost before his latest trip to the doctor's from a very famous well-wisher – Sir Sean Connery.

Oliver Curnow, who was born with a series of rare birth defects, had his picture taken with Sir Sean as he visited his former home in Fountainbridge.

The five-month-old is one of the youngest children to move into apartments at the new Springside development, which now occupies the site of Connery's parents' home at 176 Fountainbridge Street.

Yesterday Sir Sean unveiled a plaque there marking his place of birth and celebrating his contribution to Scottish cinema, before speaking to the youngster's family.

The 79-year-old wished Oliver's parents Jez Curnow , 38, and Miriam Leighton all the best, before they took Oliver to see a specialist in vacterl association, which the toddler suffers from, later that day.

Mum Miriam, 29, an occupational therapist, said: "Sir Sean was really lovely, when he was having his picture taken with Oliver and his friend Robert, and he said, 'They're not mine, honest!' to the photographers. He was very charming, and his wife was speaking to the kids as well. He said, 'I wish you all the best.'

"I think Fountainbridge has a great sense of community and we know some of the oldest residents in the area. Some of them remember Sir Sean well, so we thought we would bring Oliver to meet him."

Oliver has spent much of his short life at the city's Sick Kids' Hospital, where he is treated for the rare condition. He had to undergo a major operation just 36 hours after birth, and had open heart surgery at 16 days old.

Miriam said: "He had a rocky first couple of weeks after surgery in Glasgow and lost a lot of weight, but he's quite feisty and he's a perky child.

"There are big challenges and he will have to have a lot of operations before he's five, but if all goes well he will be able to live independently."

Sir Sean, who was knighted in 2000, is currently visiting his home city for the Edinburgh International Film Festival.

Speaking about Fountainbridge, he said: "Then, it was an industrial area which left a significant imprint on my life, as well as on the city of Edinburgh.

"Now it is a much more pleasant area in which to live, visit and work, with new homes, offices, businesses and open spaces replacing the old factories and tenements.

"And I am sure that the community spirit I remember will be maintained throughout this transformation."