Oliver teen battling health challenges vies for his own superhero comic

Oliver teen battling health challenges vies for his own superhero comic – Castanet.net
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Oliver teen battling health challenges vies for his own superhero comic

From hospital to superhero

Students from Oliver’s Southern Okanagan Secondary School are rallying behind a sick 16 year old in his effort to win a big comic book challenge.

Taylor Girouxwas born three months premature and diagnosed with short bowel syndrome and later liver disease, which has caused him to be at Vancouver’s BC Children’s Hospital consistently over the course of his life.

Taylor is described as small but mighty.

“Everybody misses him at school. His presence is definitely noticed when he’s not there,” said mom Natasha Giroux.

“He’s almost 17, but he’s like the size of a 10-year-old, so he when he goes to school — he’s the smallest one in the school — but his personality makes up for it, and everybody just absolutely loves him. He’s just like a ray of light when he walks into a room.”

The teen is participating in the American comic book writer’s Stan Lee Foundation Super Kid challenge. The reigning champion will have their story transformed into a Stan Lee Universe comic book. The winner also will receive $25,000 and VIP tickets to the 2027 Los Angeles Comic Con.

“He’s had a love of superheroes and Stan Lee since he was three. I mean, he’s been obsessed with Spider-Man, and then that just grew his love of superheroes from there,” Natasha said.

On Sept. 25, Taylor was readmitted to the hospital ICU.

While he spent the first four years of his life in the hospital, Taylor had six years at home. But since 2021, the family has again had to stay in Vancouver on and off for his care. With 90 per cent of his bowels removed at a month old, the teen receives daily IV nutrition.

“This year has been a really tough year. He’s missed seven months of school last year, and then was in the hospital for two months last spring,” Natasha said.

When he was discharged, he fell down stairs and fractured his back, spending the summer healing from his injury.

“Then, just as school started again, he made it three days and then got sick, and now we’re back in the hospital again. He’s developed some new medical issues this year, chronic kidney disease, and some other things that have just made it extra challenging,” she said.

Natasha said being able to win a comic book challenge would be huge for him, as a long-time fan of Spider-Man.

“It all started when he was three. I introduced him to Spider-Man, and then he just kind of took off from there. His favourite is still Spider-Man, and always will be. But he’s developed a love for all superheroes. He can talk your ear off for hours about any super hero.”

Taylor’s campaign said he would want super speed as his super hero power, so he could turn back time and speed into the future. Having powers like his fictional idol Spider-Man would be a bonus.

Rallying around school super hero

Taylor’s <a href="https://comicvibe.com/the-best-new-graphic-novels-out-in-october-2026/” title=”The Best New Graphic Novels Out in October 2026″>best friend led the charge in getting word of his Super Kid campaign out to schoolmates, sharing the link across the school.

A couple of SOSS teachers have been asking kids to get out their phones and vote for Taylor at the beginning of class. Doctors and nurses have also been voting for the Oliver teen.

“We still don’t have really any definitive answers as to why he got so sick and ended up in the hospital this time, which is unfortunate because it’s hard to prevent it going down the road,” Natasha said.

Natasha has struggled to financially support herself and her son while being in and out of hospital care. She is currently trying to go back on income assistance, but says it’s a challenge because she needs her vehicle, but the program aims for her to get rid of it before she can qualify.

“He’s a huge empath. He really cares about other people and making sure everybody feels included,” mom added.

“We’re trying to rally the troops as much as we can, especially after the year he’s had. This is our third strike. It’s time for something positive to happen.”

As of Tuesday, Taylor stood in the impressive third-place spot.

Voting for the Super Kid’s top 10 ends on Wednesday at 7 p.m., with finalists moving on to the next round.

To view Taylor’s campaign and to vote for him, click here.