In December 2012, Spencer Connelly was five years old when he and his older brother Fletcher were set on fire by their father. His dad loaded open gas bottles into a car boot and lit a cigarette and left his boys alone.
13 years on, Spencer has openly shared with us his experience with family violence and living with life-altering scars.
In this week’s episode of iHeart Tassie, I spoke with Spencer about his terrifying experience, his acting dreams and how he remains so positive.
I started by asking him what he remembers from that day in 2012.
“I remember getting picked up from childcare and then heading home and I guess as a five-year-old you didn’t know what was considered weird, but the car was in the backyard and Dad said we were going to have a picnic. I didn’t want to get in the car and was throwing a tantrum.. but I got in and then an explosion went off. Fletcher and I were so lucky to get out of the car because if the doors were shut, we would have been gone.”
He received burns to 30 per cent of his body and has undergone more than 50 operations and will soon have more procedures for new prosthetic ears.
When he was 14, thanks to his involvement with charity KIDS Foundation, who support children and families who have experienced trauma and injuries, Spencer landed a role in the Hollywood blockbuster Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.
“I had to sign contracts with Warner Brothers and some really big companies. I didn’t get to work with (actor) Chris Hemsworth, but I got a picture with him at the premiere which was pretty cool. It was really exciting.”
He says he’s come to learn that his scars aren’t something to feel ashamed of, they represent strength and he proud of that.
“A big thing would be being an advocate for people with facial differences and living with a disability. I love travelling and recently got my passport, so if I could travel, not just Australia, but the world and tell my story, and proving to people that being positive is the way around life, then that’s what I want to do, with a side of acting,” Spencer said.
You can listen to the full interview here:
if you or someone you know is experiencing family violence or abuse, help is available through the Family Violence Counselling and Support Service on 1800 608 122, or you can call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
