MIKE Rolls says he tries to put himself in friend Ben Pettingill’s shoes, and quips that in turn Ben tries to put himself in Mike’s prosthetic legs. They like to rib each other but say in no shape or form are they a comedy act.
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What they have got to say is quite confronting but their aim is to inspire and show how they got on with living, and laughing.
Ben lost 98 per cent of his eyesight at 16 from a rare genetic syndrome, while Mike lost his legs when he survived Meningococcal septicaemia at 18.
They will share their stories in a City of Ballarat Youth Council forum promoting mental health and well-being later this month.
Humour they use as a disruptive tool, helping audiences digest the heavy stuff. Plus, the pair considers a sense of humour as a form of resilience.
“We’ve both found once you laugh at yourself, you make people feel more comfortable in your presence...When you laugh at yourself, you break that ice and break that tension,” Mike says. “I kinda feel the fact I haven’t got legs is not a big deal to me anymore.
“We don’t want people to feel sorry for us. We both have absolutely cool lives and have got on from things regardless of circumstance.”
Mike, now aged 35, and Ben, 23, like that they have their own unique perspectives on a shared stage.
Mike likes to talk about removing negative things in life before they get to crisis point – like his leg.
Ben speaks about his true vision, how he has learned to read people more clearly from the inside-out rather than how they look or material possessions.
A mentor, based in Sydney, linked up the Melbourne duo to share their messages with young people in tandem. The result, they say, is complementary but equally raw and authentic.
“How we talk about ourselves, the fact we laugh about ourselves, and who we are as people can help,” Ben said. “There might be a young person sitting there as they struggle in their own situation and feeling sorry for themselves, but if they see I can laugh about my situation then hopefully they see hope.
“We’re tackling resilience, body image, physical and mental health. Yes, these are serious issues but if we can spin a positive light on them it might help.”
Change Your Story is at Morshead Park on April 20. Details: B’You Ballarat on Facebook.