DAYTON — Dayton Children’s Hospital spent their day celebrating everyday heroes. Superhero Day is something they do every year to honor the strength of patients, families, caregivers and staff, Dayton Children’s says.
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Throughout the day, staff and patients are encouraged to dress as their favorite superheroes. They also plan visits for patients from characters like Batman, Superman and Captain America.
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This is Dayton Children’s 12th annual Superhero Day. They say it all started with a patient who was obsessed with superheroes, but it has grown into a tradition.
Patient Jayce Reed has been waiting for Superhero Day, and was up at the crack of dawn ready to go.
Superhero Day gave Rachel Huxley the strength for her first outing in a week.
“It’s been scary and traumatic what we’ve been going through,” Heather Huxley said. “This and everybody at Dayton Children’s has been great.”
Rachel dressed up as Wonder Woman to show her strength. She got to visit with a dog that was also dressed as Wonder Woman.
“This is the most she’s smiled in a week,” Heather said.
Director of Child Life at Dayton Children’s Megan Calabro says the whole point of the day is to give the kids a chance to have a bit of fun.
“Our kids work so hard when they’re here on their health and recovery. So to be able to have our superheroes cheer them on brings so much joy to their faces and really allows them to have a kid moment and to be kids,” Calabro said.
The superheroes lift the kid’s spirits as they tackle their treatments.
“Feeling really brave as they are coming out of procedures or getting ready to go into procedures,” Calabro said. “Pull out their biggest bravery as they face the day ahead of them.”
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