In The Real World

Years ago, I had a passing conversation with Stan Lee, one of the men behind Spider-Man, X-Men, Daredevil, and the rest of the Marvel Comics empire.

He makes a cameo appearance in every Spider-Man movie, so you might recognize him. I always keep an eye out for him myself. When I spotted him in Spider-Man 2, I tugged excitedly on my friend Dave’s sleeve.

“Stan Lee! Stan Lee!” I said.

Dave glanced at me, perplexed.

“No. I’m Dave,” he said.

I rolled my eyes and helped myself to Dave's popcorn in mildly exasperated retaliation.

When I met Stan Lee, he was a washed-up has-been. The big movie studios hadn’t given him the million-dollar nod yet. Still, there was something innately cool about him. Sure. He’s comic book geek. But I was impressed with his slicked-back hair, leather jacket, and tinted glasses.

Most of all I remember what he told me.

“All of my heroes have disabilities to overcome,” he said matter-of-factly. “Their weakness is their power.”

True. And I believe there is something to that concept. It makes for a good story.

However, in real life, I can’t help but look strangely at someone who applauds me for getting up in the morning or for wheeling down the street.

It’s not heroic to do these things. It’s just life.