As mentioned in my previous post, I originally wanted to do a Spider-girl cosplay for the express purpose of wearing her to charity events. Alas due to finances and my own near-fatal car accident, I didn’t get to fulfill that goal until late 2016. It was a small holiday meet-and-greet at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta where I was joined by my friend Jefferson as Captain America and Valeria as Super-girl.
Many kids in hospitals are too sick to leave the grounds, so with special permission, sometimes charity groups are allowed in. Rather than going into individual hospital rooms (which can sometimes be dangerous for patients, depending on the severity level of their condition), we stationed ourselves in the lobby where those well enough (or with the help of caretakers) could come see us.
As one might expect most were very shy, but there was no mistaking the light in their eyes to see their favourite superheroes or the therapy dogs nearby. It seems like it’s not a big deal, but it can make a world of difference to a child.
I remember one charity event I did as Belle from Beauty and the Beast, there was a painfully shy little girl that I got down on the ground to give a hug to. She seemed like she wanted nothing to do with me, only giving me a hug when her parents asked her to. I didn’t think anything of it until her parents told me that the little girl was so excited she almost fainted when she saw me. “We just got back from a Make a Wish trip to Disney world. Belle is her favourite, but there was no Belle when we there. So when she saw you, we told her Belle had come just for her.” (Oh yeah, cue the waterworks on my account!) So I kept that in mind with the quiet, shy children at this charity event. Some were shy or in so much pain they couldn’t bring themselves to smile, but you could still see it in their eyes. I spoke quiet encouragement to some of them, hugged those who wanted it, and posed for pictures for hopefully good memories.
Be the joy you want to see in the world.
Love,
~ Your neighbourhood friendly Spider-girl
Photography: Chelsea Patricia Photography
Captain America: Jefferson Bell
Super-girl: Val Jean
You just made me cry. I love all of this!
Great post! So awesome that you give back. One note: it’s, “friendly neighborhood Spider-Girl”
Good for you. I admire anyone who takes time out for the kids and kids love their superheroes.
You and your friends are incredible people; it’s things like this that give me hope for the future. Thanks!
I totally admire you for doing this. It’s the line between reality and fantasy that you blur so well that allows everyone to see the magic.