If a superhero's job is to save the day, then a whole group of masked-men and women did just that on Thursday. They surprised a little boy on his 8th birthday, when he really needed a boost.
Caden Teddleton had spent the whole summer at Legacy Oregon Burn Center, after surviving a serious June RV fire in Coquille.
Caden's hospital care team wanted his birthday to be special, despite his circumstances. Knowing Caden's love for superheroes, they sent out a "bat signal" for help. Hospital staff and Portland Fire & Rescue personnel responded.
"I'm Aquaman," said Portland firefighter Chris Riddell, noting the orange-and-green Spandex superhero costume, he was wearing.
Riddell and his friends were preparing to run the Hood to Coast Relay over the weekend. Their team name? "The Superheroes. Conveniently, they already had the superhero costumes.
"It was perfect," said Riddell.
The team is made up of real heroes: doctors, nurses and first responders.
"It just touches my heart that all these people are so caring," said Caden's mom, Rikki Teddleton.
And then, it was time for the big surprise.
"Are you ready?" Caden's family asked.
"Open your eyes!" They said as they wheeled Caden outside the hospital.
"Happy birthday," shouted the Incredible Hulk, Wonder Woman, Batman, Captain America, Iron Man and just about every other superhero a kid could want to see. They were joined by the team from Portland Fire & Rescue's Station 13.
"We all have presents for you," they said, sharing gifts of superhero T-shirts and Caden's favorite toy, Legos.
"Hulk like Legos, too!" Legacy security guard Luke Heckathorn shouted from underneath his large, green costume.
"(Caden) wasn't having a very good day," said Caden's father, Doyne Teddleton. "But after coming out here and seeing the surprised look on his face and the smiles, it was pretty awesome."
Given his injuries, it was still hard for Caden to talk, or even express himself. But his parents said they knew what he was thinking.
"I've seen that in his eyes and I know this meant a lot to him," said Rikki Teddleton.
And for an 8-year-old on his birthday, that's all that mattered.
Soon, Caden will transfer to Randall Children's Hospital to begin rehabilitation. Click to visit Caden's Facebook page
