Fan Of The Month: Meet Charles, A Real Superman

After this young Superman fan stole our hearts, it's time to introduce you to our new Fan of the Month. His name is Charles. His wife Caitlin reached out to share his story, and the reason why they are both big Superman fans.

"We love Superman because when he gets pushed down he gets back up and keeps going. He pushes to the limit and doesn't quit. He has the ability to be a normal everyday guy, but the other times he's fighting a battle. My husband doesn't let his limitations get him down."

Hello, my name is Caitlin Stroop, and I'm from a little town in Texas called Waxahachie. Let me tell you a story of a man who has beaten the odds since he was born January 7, 1980.

  

My husband Charles Ray Stroop was born prematurely with the umbilical cord around his neck, weighing only a pound in a half. He also has a twin, Thomas, but he's fine.

The doctors told my in-laws that my husband would not live past two, and that they might as well put him in a home. He defeated those odds and today he eats, talks, and does anything anyone else can do.

However with the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck, Charles developed cerebral palsy. He has been though things that would kill a man easily, including several brain surgeries. But he has pushed himself to stay here. 

We got married last May, and in December we also bought our first house. My husband has pain all over his body but doesn't complain whatsoever. He has to use a walker because his legs don't work, which means he has to use his upper body to stay up on his walker. There will be times where the pain gets really bad, but he says to me "I'm half way there, I will make it.. I don't give up."

I know Henry Cavill is an actor, but not all actors are stuck-up snobs. Some are down to earth. I truly feel that my husband is my Superman, because he doesn't let being disabled get him down and fights. We are such fans of Superman and the way he can use strength to help people. I know if Henry Cavill ever met my husband, he would make him giggle because my husband is a true jokester as well.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Caitlin Stroop


Thanks to Caitlin and Charles for sharing their inspirational story with us. The determination and courage Charles has displayed through the years makes him a real Superman, and it's an honor for us to name him our Fan of the Month. 

Meet Henry's Fan of The Month, Truly A "Super" Girl!

For all the great things we get to experience while covering and sharing the latest updates on Henry, nothing beats hearing your stories. That is in essence why we are here, to connect Henry and his fans and show support for a super sweet guy who always puts them first.  

Today we heard from Hilary, who met Henry in San Diego over the weekend. Her daughter Jenna is a brave little girl, who is now officially our Fan of the Month. Her story moved us so much, and it just proves how a little act of kindness can mean so much for the person on the receiving end.    

We were having lunch and my daughter saw him (Henry) and got excited. Now she was born with a genetic disorder that will one day make it hard to go on. We just got the call four days before, that she has to go back to the hospital because her kidneys are not working. They called medicine for her while she was in Cali visiting her dad. As a single mom I try to do all I can to make her happy. She wanted two pics of two people.. Henry and a YouTuber, Pewty Pie? Not sure who that is. But I couldn't get it. She said mom, that's ok -- we can just go to the beach and have fun. She is such a fighter and so sweet. So when she looked over and saw him she couldn't contain herself, and asked if she could ask for a pic. I responded calmly which didn't work. She ran to him calling him Superman from behind. My cheeks went red, omg! -- Walked up behind her, looked at him and told him I was so sorry for that. He was so, so nice! He smiled, said it's ok no worries glad to. He knelt down beside her to be at her level, which she will never forget -- and got the pic. Then she said, mom you should get one. I was in the process of saying no thank you cuz he was busy and I didn't want to interfere anymore, but he was so cool he said nah, it's fine come take a pic. He was just so friendly and down to earth and nice :) don't mind my cheesy grin, I think I stopped breathing at that moment. I said thank you, and went back to our table which was across from his. J, my daughter kept staring at him -- her hands shaking. She said "mom I am ready for anything now, I just met Superman." She loves the character because he helps others. She loves Henry, because he makes Superman real and because he is very sweet in real life. For a child who has been through so much and is going to go through more, this made her year! -- She is happy, so that makes me happy.

Hilary, you and your beautiful daughter are the reason why we are here. Thank you for your story, we really hope it inspires everyone who reads this as much as it inspired us. And thank you to Henry, for reminding us every day why we are so proud to support him. 

Putting Things In Perspective: Meet Henry's Fan Of The Month

 

The holidays are a time to give thanks and reflect, which is why we couldn't be prouder to introduce you to Henry's fan of the month: Dominic.

Velma Gonzalez-Sasser from El Paso, TX shared her grandnephew's story with us, along with these pics of him in his Superman outfits that have a lot of meaning for him:

This is Dominic. Our little Superman, kept us strong.

His name is Dominic Xander Gonzalez, now 5 years old, in Kindergarten. He started pre-k months after his father's death last year (4 years old). He asks why his daddy had to go to heaven. We say God needed a special angel.

For the longest time he would stand with his hands on his hips and say "I'm Superman." I remember once we were at my nephew's crash site and Dom looked up at the sky and said my daddy's up there. I said yes, and he smiled and said "just like Superman." I laughed and said yup. Maybe that's when he decided to be Superman, who knows, but he wore that cape, shirts, shoes and anything else he could find for almost a year.

Sometimes it's easy to lose perspective on what's important in life. So we want to thank Dom and his family for reminding us what really matters. You are so brave Dom, and a real life hero -- which is why we're so proud to have you as Henry's Fan of the Month.