Batkid: a real life feel-good story, can’t we keep it that way?

Photo Credit: abcnews.go.com

This past Friday, November 15, something miraculous happened on the streets of San Francisco that has swept across the nation.  A 5 year old child named Miles Scott, who has had leukemia since he was a year old, is now in remission.  He was one of the many children a part of the Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area Foundation, which helps children with terrible diseases achieve their wildest dreams.  Scott’s wish was simple:  “I wish to be Batkid.”

In October, Patricia Wilson of the Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area Foundation asked for volunteers to make San Francisco into Gotham City for a day and managed to accumulate 12,000 of them.  His small wish became a huge thing that involved a lot of people.  The U.S. Attorney of Northern California and the FBI drew up criminal charges against “The Penguin” and “The Riddler”, classic Batman villains played by actors, who kidnapped the San Francisco Giants mascot Lou Seal.  

The San Francisco Police Chief, Greg Suhr, even lent his services, playing Commissioner Gordon, the Police Commissioner from the “Batman” movies.  Scott got to save a ”damsel in distress”, a female actor tied to the cable car tracks on Hyde Street with “dynamite” strapped to her back, and received the key to the city of San Francisco from Mayor Ed Lee.

Miles Scott’s story is absolutely inspiring.  At 5 years old, he has gone through things that a lot of adults can’t say they have.  And in a world when the news every night is full of stories of murder and natural disasters, it’s refreshing to hear about such a feel-good story in real life.  Unfortunately, there will always be those people who just can’t seem to let a good thing have its moment.

The SFGate wrote a story online about Batkid, and mentioned that the city supervisor, Eric Mar, said on his Instagram page, “Waiting for Miles the Batkid and wondering how many 1000s of SF kids living off SNAP/Food Stamps could have been fed from the $$.”  The problem I have with Mar’s statement has nothing to do with SNAP or Food Stamps, but has everything to do with his attempt to take away from this boy’s moment.

It saddens me to no end that there are real people out there who feel that giving this amazing 5 year old the chance to live his dream is a move by the city to distract from their own problems. While it is true that there are too many children out there with childhood cancers, or other horrible diseases, or who go to bed hungry, that shouldn’t mean that we shouldn’t celebrate Miles’ survival and his life. Batkid’s story is absolutely amazing and I can’t even imagine what he and his entire family have been through in his few years of life.

He’s a five year old kid who has had leukemia and beat it. Can’t we just have one moment to revel in a great thing without any ulterior motives?  Miles’ mother said it best, “He likes to be a super hero. He is one. He beat an awful disease.”

I’d love to hear what you think about this story. Do you feel it was a waste of money? Where you inspired by the story? Please leave your comments below.

Until next time Divas, wear your heels well and keep the faith close to your hearts!