The Connecticut Children’s Medical Center is in Hartford but on Friday it felt like Gotham.
During its sixth annual Superhero Day, doctors, nurses and staff all joined in, wearing costumes, inspiring patients through the power of imagination.
“It was great,” said pediatric patient Kellan Matulis, who was one of many pediatric patients who enthusiastically interacted characters who roamed the halls.
From Batman to Wonder Woman, superheros visited patients who also played along wearing their own superhero costumes.
“At the hospital we do everything we can to make the hospital, not a scary place,” said Kelly Foy, a child life specialist, “Most days we have things like art and music but today we get to show them they are superheros as well.”
Superhero decorations were displayed throughout the building, There were Hole in the Wall Gang Camp superhero themed art and LEGO model building activities. The Hartford Police participated in a parade while wearing capes.
Perhaps though the main attraction was when a team of three superheros cascaded down the outside, glass façade of the building. While watching through the windows from the inside, patients clamored and cheered as there heros waved and interacted.
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“Bringing kids down to see the window washers as they come down it gets them out of bed,” added Foy, “It gets them moving around. It gives them a sense of happiness that they don’t always get in the hospital.”
Among those repelling down the building, in full costume, was neurosurgeon John Martin.
“These kids are looking for something to fill their day and make them smile and an event like this can make them do that,” explained Martin.
Martin’s duties weren’t limited to to providing cheer. After reaching the ground, after repelling down the glass he he was called into surgery, proving he truly is a superhero.
