City Lets 'Superhero,' 4, Blow up a Building

Photo: Courtesy of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

Lots of little kids love to smash Lego towers and flatten block castles during playtime. But Atlanta preschooler DJ Pitts gleefully reduced a real 19-story hotel to rubble on Saturday. The 4-year-old was chosen to push the demolish button to celebrate his remarkable recovery from a grueling six months in Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta hospital after he accidentally swallowed toxic oven cleaner. A hospital administration office will be built in place of the hotel. 

“He’s still very excited about it,” DJ’s mom Natoya Ruff tells Yahoo Parenting. One day before the event, the hospital organized “Cape Day ATL” and encouraged local citizens to wear superhero capes to support not only DJ, but other pediatric patients.

Photo: Jason Hales Courtesy of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

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Thousands participated, including players on the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta Braves as well as local politicians, children and members of the community. “DJ tells people he had a whole super team that came out to help him,” says Ruff.

Photo: Stan Kaady Courtesy of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

DJ began wearing a cape to bolster his spirits through the 20-plus surgeries he had to endure in order to fix the damage done to his esophagus and stomach last September. “Dressing as a Superhero boosts his confidence and gives him a positive outlook,” says Ruff. “It really helps him go through anything. When he has his cape on he says, ‘I’m Super DJ!”

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The attention that comes with all the outfits doesn’t hurt either, dad Dwayne Pitts told My Fox Atlanta. “He loves it,” says Pitts. “He loves being in the spotlight.”

And whenever he walks into Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, that’s exactly where he is. “Security guards, cafeteria workers, transportation staff, everybody knows, that’s DJ,” says Ruff. “He’s such a charismatic boy. People see his little smile and fall in love.”

Just as she has, with the medical staff who has saved her son. “I’m so thankful for DJs doctors and the staff for everything they’ve done for him,” she says. “It’s very touching.”

Photo: Courtesy of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

The mom has a message for all the parents out there, as well. “Try your best to keep your eyes on your little ones every second,” she implores. “Even the smallest sip of some foreign substance can change a child’s life forever.”