The Clark Kents and Spidermans of our childhood may well define our idea of what it means to be a superhero. Whether it be flying, climbing or saving the world from evil these characters have captured the minds of children for generations. But what would we think of a superhero with a disability? 

'Not Disabled, Differently Abled'

“Not Disabled, Differently Abled” is the tagline that Kyle Boyd, an interactive multimedia designer has pioneered and developed in an innovative website called ‘Disability Heroes’.  The hope is to put a positive spin on disabilities like Cerebral Palsy, Down’s Syndrome and Spina Bifida, as well as to provide useful information for children aged 6-11 and their parents. 

“Essentially the website puts a spin on something that is normally considered to be negative,” says Kyle. “It’s ultimately about giving kids the self belief that their disability doesn’t have to be seen as a negative thing, but that they can treat it more as a super power.” 

For Kyle, who has the condition Cerebral Palsy, it felt like sometimes there was no one to tell him about his condition: “When I was growing up I used to ask many questions about my disability. Of course my parents offered many answers, but as a child this was very hard to understand, and you couldn’t use the internet - as it hadn’t been invented!”

Enter Cooper Price, Dakota Sharp and Steve Boswell - three characters Kyle created to help demystify the stigma often associated with disability. Each character on disabilityheroes.com has their own website which is alive with colour, full of simple but rich information, as well as interactive activities and downloads. It’s all aimed at giving kids the self belief that their disability doesn’t need to hinder their lives in any way.

For Kyle, Superman was a major inspiration: “Superman came to earth and he was different, but everyone accepted him for who and what he was, this is the way I want disabilities to be. Even though you’re disabled you’re just ‘Differently Abled’. So why couldnt I make the Disability the Super Power?”

Currently the website has an influential online presence and Kyle is already working hard to get charities onboard, so that children can use his website to further understand and tell people about their conditions with confidence. It’s clear that Disability Heroes is already changing the lives of children (and their parents) who have conditions like Cerebral Palsy, Down’s Syndrome and Spina Bifida.

One comment Kyle received read:

“Just wanted you to know that I really enjoyed browsing through your website. It’s fantastic and inspirational…as well as being quite funny! My little girl, Anna (6) has CP and I just know she will enjoy your site when she is a little older (she doesn’t really understand now). She is also at mainstream school and you have given me hope that she will achieve the dreams she wants to achieve and I thank you for that!”

So the next time you think of Superman, think also of Kyle and his bunch of Disability Heroes - and think Destiny, not Disability.

www.disabilityheroes.com