11-year-old B.C. advice book author marks birthday with fundraiser for late sister
Before we can appreciate what Felix Townsin is hoping to get for his upcoming 12th birthday, we need to go back to the home video showing the then-five-year-old opening a box-full of books.
“(It’s) not just any book,” the boy says with a smile, pulling the hardcover out for the camera to see. “(It’s) my book!”
Felix was a published advice author at five years old.
“My parents would give me topics,” the now-11-year-old explains about the writing process. “And I’d just put all the advice from that topic in the book.”
It’s titled Don’t Floss Your Toes (Before You Floss Your Teeth) and features pages filled with pre-school advice ranging from, “People will still like you if your socks don’t match,” to “Don’t climb up buildings unless you are inside,” to, “Eat your toast upside down — the toppings taste better when they touch your tongue.”
“He had a very unique and crazy perspective on life,” recalls Felix’s mom Cheryl-Lynn Townsin.
Her son also had big admiration for his little sister Lexi.
“She had a spirit that wanted to make the world a better place,” Cheryl-Lynn says.
Felix was Lexi’s biggest fan.
When the girl recorded a video to Santa saying she didn’t need him to bring her a present (“It’s good for you to take a break so you can relax”) – that she only wanted relief from the ultra-rare Blau Syndrome that was causing her debilitating and excruciating inflammation throughout her body – Felix committed to helping find a cure.
“He wanted to make everything better,” Cheryl-Lynn says. “And he had no way of doing that.”
Until, that is, he wrote that advice book as a fundraiser.
But then — two years ago — Lexi died unexpectedly.
Now, the boy is offering his book again to help others living with Blau.
“Felix is my hero,” Cheryl-Lynn says, fighting back tears. “He has shown me that I can live after a loss that I didn’t think I could live through.”
Through his website, Felix is using his book to try and raise $10,000 before his 12th birthday next week.
“I hope (Lexi) is up there and really proud of our work,” Felix says.
The website also includes a video of Lexi sitting at a piano singing, “The sun will come out tomorrow.” Felix is hoping, like the lyrics to the song, his efforts can help another family find their happy ending just “a day away.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.