The Superhero Project

The Superhero Project

Author	Lisa Kollins
Genre	Article, charity
Published	EF Issue 2019.2
Publication date	Spring 2019
Media type	Digital
Pages	25-27
Website	caricature.org

Superhero Miss Lily stands for hope, strength and happiness, inspiring those around her to bloom with joy. She is especially encouraging to those with autism and disabilities, reminding everyone that we are all humans who carry different gifts with us. As she flies, she throws magical flowers that blossom as they land to reveal the beauty in this world, often accompanied by her pudgy porcine sidekick, Miss Scarlett. Created by S. and designed by Amanda Li.

Article Transcript

For nine years, I was a program specialist and counselor at Camp Sunrise, the only camp in Ohio for youth impacted by HIV/AIDS. Each year, we provided a special time for our campers to just be kids – free from worry and stigma, surrounded by caring adults and with new adventures every day. One year, the camp theme was about finding the superhero within and uplifting their personal strength and courage.

I had an idea to interview each child and teen the first day of camp to find out who their superhero alter-ego would be and, as a surprise, enlist the help of professional artists to create each of the characters they described. With the help of a friend in the animation business, we lined up around 80 artists and made it happen. The last night of camp, we held a slide show where the campers saw their own personal superheroes on the screen – and it was absolute joyous mayhem! Each time a new character appeared, there were cheers and applause and laughter, and later, when we presented each child with a small framed version of the characters, it was clear how meaningful they were to them.

Not only had a professional artist taken their ideas seriously and elevated them into a beautiful, strong and dynamic character, but the kids now had a tangible representation of their inner resilience and power. What was equally exciting was how meaningful the experience had been for the artists. Many of them thanked us for the opportunity and said they would be honored to participate again in the future – they found the chance to use their talents to impact an individual child going through a difficult time to be powerful and affirming. It was truly inspiring to see.

That one-time surprise has now developed into The Superhero Project, an ongoing initiative that uses creative thinking and the arts to inspire youth with disabilities and serious illnesses. I interview kids and teens in pediatric and adolescent oncology, hematology, cardiac and pulmonary hospital units, at community events, in their homes, and via videochat (for those in other cities and countries). I ask them what they stand for and who they fight for — how they want to make the world a better place. We also talk about what they look like and what special powers they’ll need to succeed.

The interviews are amazing. Listening to the kids’ creative ideas, giggling over costume choices and brainstorming the exact tools they’ll need is definitely fun, but more often than not, I’m moved by the causes they embrace. They want to end bullying and protect the environment. They want to bring joy and fun to the world, and to keep their friends and family safe. One young man wanted the power to create warm hats, gloves and coats with the point of a finger for children in need. Many seek an end to illness, but rarely do they mention themselves – it’s all about making sure that others benefit from their imaginary powers.

After the interviews, we match our heroes with equally amazing professional artists who volunteer their time and talent to bring the characters to life. These are extraordinary volunteers, without whom the project wouldn’t be possible. We have comic book artists, animators, illustrators, and art school faculty members. There are storyboard artists, children’s book illustrators, tattoo artists and graphic designers. And of course, we have caricaturists! Artists are regularly asked to give away their creative work, their time and their talent for free. I understand well how boundaries must be drawn; artists must protect their energy and their work in order to make a living. Since I am unable financially at this time to offer honoraria in appreciation, I am overwhelmed by the number of artists who take it upon themselves to bring joy to families in need by creating these unique and meaningful gifts. The finished characters are printed on posters and delivered to the families.

Our volunteers share an understanding of the power of creative thinking and the arts, and recognize the connection between positive thinking and health outcomes. They know that providing these young patients with a visual representation of their inner strength can inspire them, and our superhero families affirm that they are right. One mom shared with us that, “The Superhero Project came in as one of the first things to lift my daughter’s spirits when she began her first round of chemo. It set the tone in her mind that while she was facing this difficult challenge, there were going to be people helping her fight along the way! That was so important for her.”

In a time when the world seems increasingly filled with division and hate, I am inspired by how many people are willing to say “yes” and step forward for a child they will never meet. In addition to the artists who create characters, we have printers who donate the posters, a graphic designer who creates marketing pieces, and a hospital who assists with mailing posters to families. This is a lean operation in every way but impact – many families have shared beautiful notes with us about how much the superheroes mean to their kids. Some carry their posters back and forth to clinics for treatments; others hang them in hospital rooms for doctors and nurses to see.

I am privileged to meet the kids and teens I interview, and I am honored to walk with families for a very short time on their long journeys. I am inspired not just by their boundless creativity, strength and positivity, but by the artists from around the world who open their hearts to our initiative. I look forward to many more years and many more characters to come!

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