My autistic daughter is an everyday superhero. Her courage, strength, and beautiful spirit inspire us to celebrate every milestone.
Thank you for generously supporting Francesca in this year’s competition. Your participation made a huge impact for The Stan Lee Foundation and their mission to promote literacy and the narrative arts.
Superman also has qualities that may feel comforting and relatable to her. He has a strong sense of right and wrong, follows his own values, and has a clear purpose. The familiar stories, characters, and routines surrounding Superman can also provide something enjoyable and predictable for her. For my daughter, her interest in Superman is more than simply liking a superhero. It gives her something exciting to talk about, imagine, learn about, and connect with.
My daughter’s love for superheroes started at a very special place in her life. From a young age, I wanted her to understand that being autistic did not make her less than anyone else. I wanted her to know that she was different in a beautiful and powerful way. As her mom, I would often tell her, “Your autism is your superpower.” I would remind her that the things that made her different could also be the things that made her strong, unique, and amazing.
When I asked my daughter what her own superpower would be, she immediately knew her answer: she would be able to start lightning. To her, lightning represents something powerful, bright, and impossible to ignore. I think it also reflects how she sees herself. She has so much energy, curiosity, and intensity inside of her, and when something interests her, she can light up the room with her excitement.
Colossal is a nationally registered professional fundraiser that inspires people to advocate for themselves and those in need. Through online competitions like Super Kid, Colossal offers participants the opportunity to make their mark while also making a big impact.