‘These Kids Are Superheroes’: Photographer Turns Disabled Children Into the ‘Justice League’

For a few hours, each child could forget about their worries, dress up in a custom-made costume, play around with some power poses, and just have fun. Superman’s mom told Rossi, “This was the third best day of his life.”

But the fun didn’t end just because the photo shoot did. The kids were able to take home their costumes, the majority of which were created and donated by Julie Whiteley and normally would’ve cost around $10,000. Then, a few weeks later, Rossi sent each of the children a large print of the final Photoshop-enhanced picture.

Unsurprisingly, the kids were all overwhelmed with joy at seeing their super-selves. “I still don’t even think I realized how rewarding it is. I was just blown away,” Rossi said of the children’s reactions. “I was doing it for them; I didn’t realize how big of an effect it would have on them.” Kayden, also known as Cyborg, immediately put his picture up in his room, where he then stared at it for hours. His mom told Rossi, “I think it’s because he sees himself standing up straight and standing up with confidence.” Because he’d never seen himself like that, the picture “had a really big impact” on him, as well as all the other families.

And Rossi hopes his photo series will have just as big an impact on everyone who sees it, especially other children. “I wanted to inspire young kids… going through the same thing to have hope,” he said. Rossi also aims to increase awareness of not only childhood disabilities and diseases, but the ways everyone can help.

“A lot of people think you have to have a ton of money to help out kids or it’s all about donations… [but] putting out a series like this to inspire others to maybe get out of their comfort zone,” he said. Everyone, Rossi believes, “can help out in their own way.” As he and these kids prove, you certainly don’t have to be a superhero to act like one.

Credits: aplus.com

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