Conversations with Casey Barrett

Today we’d like to introduce you to Casey Barrett. 

Hi Casey, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am a father of three children, all with some form of special needs. Like a lot of costumed characters, my story started in tragedy. In 2010, we lost our youngest son at the time, at the age of 3, due to multi neurological issues. A couple months later, it was discovered that my oldest is on the ASD spectrum, and in 2011, my youngest daughter was born, and she was born with very similar neuro issues as her deceased older brother. Needless to say, I have spent many hours and nights at Children’s Hospital. The fear of uncertainty and constant anxiety is the ever-looming cloud when you’re there. 

One instance in particular, about nine years ago, my daughter was in the hospital with influenza, and her brother was not allowed to visit her, due to the isolation protocols of having the flu. My son was in the beginnings of a meltdown in the main lobby, when all of a sudden, Captain Jack Sparrow appeared. This was in the thick of the movie franchise, and he was eight years old, so the timing couldn’t have been better. It turned his whole world around. He forgot that he couldn’t see his sister, he forgot that we were in a hospital, and for a few moments he (and myself) had peace. That stuck with me. It was just for a moment, but that moment will always be with me. In a time of high stress and fear, this person dressed up in a costume and played a character (and was fantastic) took all of that negative energy away. 

I have always been a Bat fan. I was seven years old when Tim Burton’s adaptation of Batman was released in 1989. Adam West’s TV series was in syndication, and the Batman character was really coming into a new world in graphic novels. DC was my jam. I was at a local costume shop in September and saw a full Batman costume for a relatively cheap price. However, not being that cheap, I needed to find something additional activities to use said costume. I thought about how much it meant to me, to have Captain Jack Sparrow alter the reality of being inside a children’s hospital and it hit me to be Batman for those people. 

There were snags along the way, first was, due to the close proximity of the Aurora theater (where the shooting during the showing of The Dark Knight occurred), and the Children’s Hospital treated some of the victims, Batman was, at that time not allowed to visit the hospital. I worked with the director of volunteers and she requested at the board meeting that next year about changing that rule, and thankfully, they did. Second hurdle was, my new suit was 100% latex… all of it. Latex is not allowed at most medical campuses. I had to come up with something new because I was all into this idea of being a character volunteer. I started a fundraising campaign for a custom-made suit and had the full funds in less than three weeks. 

The day my suit arrived, my daughter had an overnight EEG sleep study, so I took my suit, and with the help of the nurse, my daughter was the first visit I had as a volunteer. 

Since then, I’m going into my sixth year as The Batman. I’ve become an official Children’s Hospital volunteer, going through their process of background checks and blood draws, etc. I have been a part of some incredible events there and even organized my own “days before Christmas” visits, with numerous costumed friends. 

I have teamed up with 3C CausePlay numerous times and have been a part of Make-A-Wish walks and events, MS Walks, Autism Society of Colorado events, Destination Imagination, Pediatric Cancer walks, Night to Shine and other special needs prom style events, elementary school events, YMCA refugee events, private business events, comic con panels to get others excited about or into volunteering, Special Olympics events, and blood drives. 

More recently, in 2020 during lockdowns, my very dear friend Colorado Captain and I, with the help of LL Baytoevan’s Love, organized a thirteen-city pediatric cancer parade during the course of Memorial Day weekend. We had a convoy of movie cars and characters drive by thirty-five plus homes of families dealing with pediatric cancer. 

Most recently I was found by one of the moms of our Parade for Heroes, to help reveal remodeled or renovated children’s bedrooms that lost their homes in the Marshall Fire. 

I have met so, so, SO many incredible people. From other volunteers to organizers, to parents, to amazingly strong fighters. The community of people that find ways to help is truly a heartwarming place to be. It’s so rewarding to be a part of it, and even more amazing to witness all the good that is shared with those that need it. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Well, I have mentioned the troubles getting started, with the latex suit, and Batman not being allowed at the hospital, but I feel like the sheer perseverance got through that. 

Really, one of the most difficult things is not being able to do more. I want Bruce Wayne’s money, ha! There are so many out there that struggle. I feel like everyone already has so much on their plate, and then most of people I’m volunteering for had a whole additional plate they have to deal with. Seeing the kids’ faces, posing for the pictures, and seeing their parents, or grandparents or other caregivers’ faces makes it all worth it. However, not being able to assist some of these families with more is tough, what I do rarely feels like enough. 

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
For my “career” I am fortunate (or unfortunate depending on the point of view) enough to be a part of Colorado’s Medicaid program and get paid to take care of my daughter as her CNA. It’s a great program and has been really helpful both monetarily and a peace of mind, who better to take care your medically fragile than you? 

My hobbies consist of playing old man hockey and photography. I’ve been shooting for twelve years, mostly sports. I’ve covered the Broncos for a blog called Mile High Report for nine years. I’ve done weddings, portraits, senior photos, cars, lifestyle, and cosplay photography. I really enjoy getting behind the lens and bringing those special moments to still forever-ness. 

Pride is an intriguing topic. I guess I could start with myself, I have grown a lot as an adult over twenty, and I feel like the journey to become an even better person has really only started. I’m proud of my son. Despite his social struggles being ASD, has become an amazing young man, and continues to surprise me no matter what the circumstance. My daughter is the toughest human I know. Life has asked more from her than a lot of grown adults, and yet she still finds ways to smile. My friends, because no matter what they face, and they have all faced a lot, they find time and energy to volunteer themselves for others. Our coping mechanisms may be cynical and a little out there, but we connect in great ways and have done some truly amazing things together. 

From my own self-perspective… I’m not really one that’s comfortable putting myself on a pedestal. Maybe that’s why I wear the mask. 

I love my children. I love that I have found a way to help others feel something positive, even for a brief moment. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Luck. Huh. I think, like a lot of us, I’ve had a healthy share of both bad luck and good. 

My father has used a quote I can remember since I was a kid. “It’s a far better thing in life to be lucky than good.” 

I think the bad luck, is having two children with a gene mutation that happens in 1 in 77 million recorded cases. Losing a child is by far the worst thing I have ever faced. Twelve years later, it resonates with me every day. 

For a while, I felt like the bad luck ruled the day, almost every day. Cars, kids, money, etc., always seemed to have a catch. But there came a point where the bad turned into lessons. Where lessons became opportunities. I had to buckle down and work harder, and that in turn created new opportunities, and I’m now in a place where I feel really optimistic about my future. 

The good luck is finding this path. Being Batman. I have learned so much about people, and how most of us really are just trying to do our best, in the only ways we know how. It’s caused a great reflection and appreciation for humanity. It gives me hope that so many put their own life on hold to help others in need of some form of positivity. I have been incredibly lucky to know the people I know, without them, I’m not in the place I am now. 

Contact Info:

• Email: MomentsMeanMore@gmail.com
• Instagram: @hospitalbatman
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/hospitalbatman
• Twitter: @hospitalbatman

Image Credits:
Derek Cronk Photography