Fairfax County firefighters on the rooftop of Inova Health Children’s Hospital.Photo: Fairfax County Fire/Rescue/Twitter
The young patients at a Virginia children’s hospital were in for a real treat this week when some surprise visitors made an appearance outside their windows.
On Tuesday, members of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue dressed up as superheroes and rappeled down the side of Inova Children’s Hospital in Falls Church to surprise patients, according toa tweet from the department.
As shown in photos that were posted to their Twitter page, the firefighters dressed as some of the most well-known superheroes, including Captain America, Superman, Supergirl and Spider-Man.
Two of the Fairfax County firefighters on the rooftop of the hospital.Fairfax County Fire/Rescue/Twitter
The firefighters also played games with the children using dry-erase markers on the windows, the outlet reported.
“The kids were thrilled when they got to look out their windows and see superheroes coming to say hi,” Jamie Gentille, the director of Child Life Services at Inova hospital, told WJLA. “DuringCOVIDthey haven’t gotten any special visitors inside.”
For Jewell, the gesture was more than just a display of encouragement amid tough times — it was also personal.
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“When I was 14 years old, I had bone cancer, childhood cancer and I treated for my cancer here in this hospital,” she explained to the outlet. “And I’ve been in remission now for almost 17 years.”
“I’ve been on the other side of the glass, so to be able to be on this side of the glass today and connect with them and just show them that they’re not alone and we’re here,” she added.
Battalion Chief Matt Burns, who was dressed as Captain America, also spoke to the outlet and noted that the fire department hopes to make this an annual event at the hospital.
“The whole reason firefighters become firefighters is to do something for their community,” he explained. “And the kids are always the ones closest to our heart.”
source: people.com
