Spiderman, Batman, Captain America and Superman repel down the side of Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC while washing windows on Wednesday 10/26 – Photo Credit Nate Guidry/Post-Gazette
There was a special appearance of DC’s Superheroes in Pittsburgh last month Marveling at locals. And I am not referring to Washington DC or any political superstars but the Superheroes of comics and movies made an appearance at the Children’s Hospital in Lawrenceville giving the patients there a special treat.
Too often we perceive superheroes as invulnerable specimens of perfection but lets take a closer look, here are just a sampling of superheroes with disabilities:
1. Professor X: Paralyzed – The leader of the X-Men, founder of Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters, and extremely powerful telepath. In a wheelchair, but instead of letting his disability hold him back, Professor X dedicated his life to helping others.
2. Daredevil: Blind – Matt Murdock, Daredevil’s secret identity, was blinded when he was a child in an accident involving dangerous chemicals. It is actually his disability that led him to become a superhero. He uses echolocation to make his way about and fight crime.
Rick Bollinger, dressed as Spiderman, scales the side of Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC on Wednesday 10/26. Mr. Bollinger works for Allegheny Window Washing, which was employed by the Lawrenceville hospital. – Photo Credit Nate Guidry/Post-Gazette
3. Doctor Strange: Nerve Damage – One of the most skilled and sought after surgeons in the world, Dr. Strange got into a car accident resulting in nerve damage. This nerve damage made it impossible for the surgeon to continue his work, and his pride wouldn’t allow him to serve as a consultant, so he went on a search for a cure. It was this search that lead Doctor Strange to magic and soon led to him becoming the Sorcerer Supreme.
4. Echo: Deaf – Though not one of the most well known of the X-Men, Echo was believed to have a mental disability, it was only later in life before anyone realized the reason she wasn’t replying or listening was because she wasn’t able to. She joined the X-Men and was a key member of the team. Later, she took on the moniker of Ronin, a highly skilled swords-maiden.
5. Oracle: Parapalegic – This former Batgirl, Barabara Gordon, was paralyzed after an extremely unfortunate run-in with the Joker. However, instead of giving up fighting crime, she sought to help Batman in the best way she could as the Oracle; didn’t let her injury affect her ability to fight crime.
James Howe, 5, of Moon, gets a fist-bump from Batman and Captain America Wednesday morning, 10/26, as the superheroes descended on Children’s Hospital to give the building a thorough window washing. – Photo Credit Nate Guidry/Post-Gazette
“In the time it will take to read this entry, real-life superheroics will occur. A blind woman will safely cross the street. A teenage boy whose body is crippled with cerebral palsy will rise unassisted from a chair. Physically and mentally challenged individuals who refuse to be handicapped by their conditions overcome adversity in virtually every facet of their lives. Superheroes do exist.” – http://www.superheromultiverse.com/superheroes-disabilities
So how do these tales of heroism and graphic novels of heroics and adventure inspire an entire community of individuals to defy the odds of their disabilities each and every day? Read about Superheroes of the Holocaust in our own community in ChutzPow second edition from the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh. What superhero do you find most inspiring? Do you have an inspiring tale to share? leave a comment or contact the administrator to send a private message with your story.