Natasha McElhone
Channel 5's Extraordinary People returns tonight with the story of Viet, an 18 month old with the world’s rarest form of bilateral facial cleft, making him blind and, unlesss a 9 hour operation from surgeon Niall Kirkpatrick is succesful, never able to speak, breathe or eat normally.
Actress Natasha McElhone narrates the documentary about Viet as her late husband Dr Martin Kelly was the founder of the Facing The World charity that's made all this possible.
She spoke briefly about her involvement in this amazing story.
Have you met Baby Viet?
Yes, I met little Viet a few times - he's incredibly cute, warm and happy
As a mother, how does it affect you to see the plight of children like Viet?
Of course. Having your own kids brings you closer to imagining what a family has to go through when struggling with a very physical difference that society has a strong and usually negative response to.
Are the other children Facing the World have helped whose stories have particularly moved you?
Without exception, all of them
Do you think being in the public eye makes you more aware of how image-conscious we are?
No more than anyone else. We're bombarded with images of how we 'should look' just by walking down the street
Do you think your husband would be proud of his legacy?
The charity has become everything Martin would have hoped for
Would you like to be at a stage where you are able to offer help to every child who needs surgery? Is that at all possible?
I don't think that is possible. However, we strive to help as many of those on the critical list as possible. But please help us to help more!
The Baby with a New Face: Extraordinary People is on tonight at 9pm on Channel 5.