Superhero

The Oxford dictionary defines ‘Superhero’ as:

‘A benevolent fictional character with superhuman powers, such as Superman.’

Now, I’m sure the people working on the Oxford Dictionary know a thing or two about the English language, but I’m 100% sure they’ve got this dictionary definition wrong. And no, to all you Team Batman fans, I’m not pointing out that they’ve listed the wrong Superhero as the example!

They’ve used the word fictional, as if Superhero’s are only ever characters covering the pages of comic books and crashing onto our cinema screens in action packed scenes. They couldn’t be more wrong, superheros are not fictional, they exist and you could even be one! (Yes, you can dress up as Batman if you want to.)

Superheros do exist, but they have the most amazing disguises. Usually the media portrays them as the bad guys, but they couldn’t be more wrong.
Well, what do you expect when Rupert Murdoch owns most of it? Let’s not get into a discussion about the News of The World, eh? ;)

Social workers, personal advisors, participation workers, foster carers, residential carers, secure unit staff, top dog managers in social/children’s services, youth workers and every single other professional that works with children in care. They’re the real superheros and last time I checked, they definitely aren’t fictional. Well, unless I’ve been experiencing a very elaborate dream all this time, or I’ve banged my head very, very hard!

Working with children and young people in care requires you to have superhuman powers. To be able to give them the love they need that couldn’t be given by their own family. The ability to see past all the bad stuff and see the young person for who they really are, to work with them to become the best they possibly can be. You need to have the power to stand being called all names under the sun, with the possibility of being hit too, when you’re doing your job. Being able to forgive when these bad times do happen and understand how difficult it must be for them.

The list goes on, but all of them prove that to work with children in care, you have to be a superhero. There is no other explanation as to why an individual would dedicate their lives to helping some of society’s most vulnerable young people. To work such long hours, with so little resources and not enough staffing (ahem, any politicians reading, give them some extra side kicks!) and to put up with looking after kids like me, you must be a superhero! Trust me, I know I was a challenging child at times, so anyone who had to look after me are like the top dogs of superheros! ;)

But thanks to all the work the many professionals did with me, I’m doing pretty awesome! Even though I still live off cereal, I am going to university in September and I wouldn’t be doing that if I didn’t have the support of all the fantastic carers and staff! Without you guys, I’d probably be joining the stats of care leavers who end up in prison! I’m quite glad it’s not the latter, mainly because I’m so socially awkward I think it would be like putting Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory into a jail, which definitely wouldn’t end well!

Only super powers could help someone who used to be restrained 7 times a day to receive an unconditional offer to study at university. Either that, or my teachers bribed UCAS or something ;)

I am so lucky that I’ve been able to meet so many amazing people who have inspired me, loved me and supported me, accepting me for me. Unlike the general public, I can see through the disguises and I know your true identity.

You’re all Superhero’s, every single one of you.

The Oxford dictionary defines ‘Superhero’ as:

‘A benevolent fictional character with superhuman powers, such as Superman.’

By Jack Smith :)