| Power Boy | |
|---|---|
| Image:PowerBoy.jpg Power Boy | |
| Vital Statistics | |
| Hero | Power Boy |
| Alias(es) | N/A |
| Identity | Public |
| Alter Ego | Benjamin |
| Category | Public Advocate |
| Location | Alexandria, MN, USA 45° 53' 0.64" N, 95° 22' 28.21" W |
| Status | Active |
| Superhero Activity | |
| Team | |
| Affiliates | Geist, Superhero |
| Foes | Adrenoleukodystrophy, Autism, Ignorance |
| Actions | Community Outreach, Public Appearances |
| Physical Description | |
| Gender | Male |
| Outfit | |
| Colors | Green, Red |
| Symbol | Red Power Button |
| Equipment | N/A |
| Abilities | N/A |
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Power Boy is a Real Life Superhero in Alexandria, Minnesota. He is a young boy suffering from adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), which currently has no cure and is usually terminal. He took on the RLSH identity Power Boy in order to endure the regular medical visits needed to ensure his health and also uses his visibility as a RLSH to act as an awareness advocate for ALD and autism. He is the leader of the Fearsome Four as well as a honorary member of the Great Lakes Alliance.
History
Before he became Power Boy, he was Ben and he was born November 18, 2003. After an aunt contacted his parents advising them of her positive results for AMN markers, Ben was tested and diagnosed with ALD at 18 months of age in 2005. After his diagnosis, Ben endured constant medical visits and tests to monitor the progress of the disease to the point where he would have burst into tears at the smell of rubbing alcohol. During a bad episode, Ben and his family met Geist at the Mayo Clinic, which planted the seeds for the concept of Power Boy. Soon afterwards, Ben took on the role of Power Boy, which made it easier for him to endure the regular medical visits.
Fearsome Four
The genesis of the persona of Power Boy arrived when Ben's three other siblings decided Ben's bravery for dealing with ALD meant he should have a superhero moniker. They chose the name, "Power Boy," for him and also took on superhero personas to form a RLSH team, the Fearsome Four. Together as the Fearsome Four, Power Boy and his siblings do activities together in their costumes in order to try to better their small community in Alexandria, Minnesota such as helping clean neighbors' yards or donating teddy bears to hospitals.
ALD Awareness
Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD, also called Siemerling-Creutzfeldt Disease or Schilder's disease is a rare, inherited disorder that leads to progressive brain damage, failure of the adrenal glands and eventually death. ALD is a disease in a group of genetic disorders called leukodystrophies. Adrenoleukodystrophy progressively damages the myelin sheath, a complex fatty neural tissue that insulates many nerves of the central and peripheral nervous systems. Without functional myelin, nerves are unable to aid in the conduction of an impulse, which leads to increasing disability.
- For more, go to the main article at Wikipedia: Adrenoleukodystrophy
Due to the fact that ALD is extremely rare, there is a lack of support programs for the disease. Power Boy uses his Facebook and costumed presence at events such as HOPE 2012 to help raise awareness for ALD.
Images
- PowerBoy.jpg
The Fearsome Four
- GeistBen.jpg
Power Boy in his civilian guise of Ben with Geist
