I never was alone, I had my sister Joan,
She tried to make me feel so very happy;
We played out in the snow, when the winters were so cold,
But in the summer she would play with other girls.

(Chorus)
Current Island, Current Island where I was raised from just a boy,
Current Island, Current Island and fishing was my father's only joy.

We lived up on Current Isle, when I was just a child,
And now there's nothing there only the trees,
Although now I am gone, the isle will still live on;
It will be forever in my memory.

(Chorus)

When I was nine years old, I wanted to achieve a goal,
And music became my greatest pleasure,
And now I play guitar, but I'm not yet a star;
But for now this will be my greatest treasure.

So now this is my song, I hope it's not too long,
For the story is true right to the end;
So if you see a blind man, lend to him your hand,
Then he'll know that you will be his friend.

(Chorus)

Fred has now written about 22 songs.

Like many people with disabilities Fred has always had trouble finding work. Sometimes he works in bands. He has also been a member of the Longside Players. But none of these jobs were permanent. At age 19 Fred worked for a short while as a taxi dispatcher. In the early 1980s he worked in telephone sales for the Long Life Bulb Company. Fred has also done other telephone sales work.

In 1987 Fred attended a course at the Canadian Career Institute. He wanted to learn to be a disc jockey. He studied hard for a year and passed the course. He got a job at a local radio station but was laid off after 10 days. He could not find another job as a disc jockey. To be a disc jockey Fred would need someone to help him. Titles and song lists would need to be put into braille. Most employers find this too expensive. Fred knew that he would have trouble finding a job. But he wanted to try something different. "It was a good experience," he says. "I guess I was willing to try anything. No one wants to live on social assistance."

Fred continues to look for work. He would like to be a back-up musician in a recording studio. So far he has had no luck. Like Cindy Knight he lives on social assistance.