AUSTIN, Texas — Members of the Austin Police Department dressed up as superheroes to help children at Dell Children's Medical Center forget they are there.
Careese Vieregge and her son, Kai, have been there for almost a month now.
"I held back tears just seeing the joy he had," said Vieregge.
The mighty heroes showed up to the hospital to save the day.
"The moment you climb down that wall and make eye contact, the kids forget about why they are here," said Superman. "It makes it worthwhile."
The man sporting the suit with the "S" on his chest is, in fact, an Austin police officer.
He refused to be known by his name.
"We're all quiet professionals," he said. "So you won't see us considering ourselves as heroes."
Just like him, Captain America, Wonder Woman, Flash, Black Panther and almost a dozen other characters put many smiles on the kids' faces.
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"When you see them in the hospital bed, they light up, they see us and it's worth its weight in gold," said Superman.
"It means a lot to him," said Kai's mom.
Kai is currently in a special wheelchair and is expected to stay at Dell Children's for almost a month.
"I will put this costume on all day long," said Superman. "We inspire them to take on the challenges and it's worth it all."
This is the fifth year APD has worked with Dell Children's to put together this event.
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