Not all superheroes wear capes

Wednesday, June 19, 2013


Some may wear Gucci and donate billions of dollars to charitable campaigns, whilst others wear only a humble uniform as they clean our trash.  

I know that I may be offending many self-proclaimed hard core fans of Batman, but I must confess; I fell asleep watching Dark Knight Rises, as well as the sequel before that, the Dark Knight. And when I accidentally let slip that I thought The Avengers was “sort of” lengthy to the point of boring, my friend drew himself up to his full five feet five, and called me an uncultured swine.

Now, I may not have any appreciation for superhero movies, but I do understand why there is such a strong fan base for them, especially the Marvel/DC comic varieties. Who doesn't love to believe in ordinary men bestowed with extraordinary capabilities like flying, and saving whiny damsels in distress?

But in the world of iron-clad arrogant billionaires, tight chest-popping outfits and handsome web-shooting vigilantes, we tend to overlook real life people who are perhaps, greater than any cape-flapping superman.

Don Ritchie, 84 years old, lives a quiet unassuming life in Watson Bay, Sydney, or so it seems. He’s been dubbed “Guardian of the Gap” for his tireless attempts for the past 45 years to dissuade people from jumping to their deaths at the notorious suicide cliff called “The Gap”, near his home. Officially, he has successfully saved 160 people’s lives, but unofficially, the figure is closer to 500 people.

Don Ritchie would spot what looked like potentially, suicidal people standing precariously close the edge, and he would slowly walk across the road to them, smile and ask, “Can I help you in some way?” before inviting them over to his house later for tea, or something stronger if necessary.

But of course, even Batman couldn’t save every single citizen of Arkham City. Likewise, Don Ritchie recounts many personal stories of how he had to watch several people jumping before his very eyes.

But refusing to be disheartened, Don Ritchie keeps to his beliefs, “always remember the power of the simple smile, a helping hand, a listening ear and a kind word. My ambition has always been to just get them away from the edge, to buy them time, to give them the opportunity to reflect and give them the chance to realise that things might look better the next morning.

People are hungry for heroes; a hero who inspires others to believe that humanity is worth saving and the world worth living.

They come in all shapes and forms; some wear the Malaysian flag proudly on their sleeves (Datuk Lee Chong Wei, Nicol David, Pandelela Rinong), whilst others wear only a humble uniform as they clean our trash. Some wear Gucci and donate billions of dollars to charitable campaigns, whilst others wear modest clothing and labour to put food on the table.

Superheroes can be disguised as anyone: our mum, dad, sister, neighbour, best friend, dog, cat, rock, idols, celebrities, relatives, etc. Superheroes can even be you. If only you choose to accept the responsibility and believe that the world around you is one that you are capable of influencing, never forgetting the power of the simple smile, a helping hand, a listening ear and a kind word.

Not all superheroes wear capes.


Though the good looking ones usually do. 



Admittedly not a big fan of Henry Cavill. But this is a really nice picture of the Man of Steel


P.S - one of my very first assignments that I wrote in foundation year. 

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