Robyn Rosenberger turned a holiday gift into a company that empowers extraordinary kids as they overcome illness or disability. When her husband gave her a sewing machine for Christmas, Rosenberger tells LittleThings she didn’t touch it for the longest time. Then, as her nephew's second birthday approached, she was inspired to make him a superhero cape. That cape led her to make more as gifts and eventually, she sent one to a little girl she read about on social media named Brenna, who was born with a rare and severe skin disorder. Profoundly touched by that story, Rosenberger took her cape-making and gifting to the next level.
“One night, as I was rocking my son to sleep and reading updates about Brenna on Facebook, a simple yet powerful thought crossed my mind: 'Brenna needs a cape,'” says Rosenberger. “It was a moment of sheer inspiration, and it fundamentally transformed the way I viewed those capes. They became more than just pieces of fabric; they symbolized courage, strength, and hope. That epiphany not only altered my perspective but, I hope, has made a positive impact on countless families worldwide.”
She launched TinySuperheroes, which to date has sent over 120,000 capes to kids in all 50 states and 28 different countries. She started out by sewing the first 1,500 capes right from her kitchen table. Over time, as the demand for our capes soared, and they had to adapt.
While they’ve transitioned through various methods, they currently have the capes manufactured to efficiently meet the growing demand and continue their mission. Along the way, she even quit her full-time job at a software company to go all in. To that, she credits one extremely special phone call.
“I was at my desk when my phone rang,” says Rosenberger. “On the other end was a producer from ABC World News with Diane Sawyer, expressing their interest in featuring TinySuperheroes. The magnitude of that call was overwhelming. I immediately phoned my husband, and I remember telling him that I either needed to stop sending out capes or take the plunge, leave my job, and fully commit to this mission. While I might not have handed in my notice that exact day, it wasn't long after. Reflecting on it now, it was a bold move, a leap of faith. But in that moment, the excitement and the potential I saw overshadowed any risks I might've considered.”
Helping others has profoundly transformed her perspective on life. “While it's heartwarming to think our capes offer support, it's truly this incredible community that has given me so much more,” says Rosenberger. “Let me share a recent incident. One day at the office, a mother dropped by to collect her order. As we chatted, I learned that she had traveled from another city and was temporarily residing in an Airbnb nearby because her 4-month-old son was at the local hospital, awaiting a heart transplant. He'd been there since birth.
"It's moments like these, stories like hers, that take your breath away. Imagine her resilience: navigating life in an unfamiliar place, being away from family, and constantly on edge with a beeper, knowing that any second it could signal a heart for her child. Such powerful encounters, which have become a frequent part of my life, shift your very essence. Suddenly, material desires like the latest gadget fade in importance, and the simple act of picking up a healthy child from school feels like an immense blessing."
Her journey with TinySuperheroes has been incredibly enlightening. “One of the most profound lessons I've absorbed is the immense power of gratitude,” says Rosenberg. “Time and again, I've witnessed families who seemingly have the most reasons to be disheartened, exuding joy and thankfulness. Their resilience and optimistic perspective have reshaped how I tackle challenges in my own life.”
Rosenberg’s sons — ages 6, 9, and 12 — have grown up as she has grown her business. She says, “It’s truly woven into the fabric of our family. What's been most profound is watching the organic development of their understanding and empathy. In many families, kids might not interact with a peer in a wheelchair until they enter school. But for my sons, such encounters have been a regular part of their lives. It's heartwarming and reassuring when their immediate response upon seeing someone with a visible disability is to ask if they've received a cape. In their eyes, these disabilities are genuinely seen as superpowers. Observing this perspective in my own children ignites my passion further. It solidifies my commitment to create more avenues for children of all abilities to interact, understand, and appreciate the diverse abilities around them.”
She’s also come to deeply appreciate the strength of a community. “The stories and strength of these children and their families are the heartbeat of this mission,” says Rosenberg. “Navigating the complexities of medical challenges can be isolating, especially when routines center around medical appointments rather than typical childhood activities. Yet, our online community at TinySuperheroes is a beacon of hope and support, where members uplift each other, celebrating victories and providing solace during tough times.”
She shares some stories, saying, “Often, out of discomfort or apprehension, we might shy away from engaging with individuals who seem different from us. In doing so, we deprive ourselves of rich experiences and lessons. For instance, I've learned Braille over Zoom from an inspiring 8-year-old girl who's entirely blind. I've been in awe watching a 3-year-old with two prosthetic legs master karate moves. I've felt an overwhelming sense of compassion from a boy who endured burns over his entire body as an infant. While some differences are visible, the fact remains that every individual is unique, and therein lies the beauty. At our core, all humans crave connection and every individual has a story to tell. By confining ourselves to familiar surroundings and experiences, we inadvertently shut ourselves off from a vast world filled with diverse and enriching stories.”
Children like the heroes above — and those with any challenging medical diagnosis from ADHD and cerebral palsy and more — are nominated for capes. A pay-it-forward model ensures that every nominated child gets the opportunity to receive a cape and crowdfunding campaigns to share with their community are optional. “The program has been structured in a way that every participating child is rewarded with a patch to represent that mission,” says Rosenberg. “These patches do more than just decorate the cape. They become the chronicles of each child's journey. From marking surgeries, indicating specific diagnoses, commemorating CT scans, or even symbolizing their favorite sport, every patch is a chapter of their unique story. The cape stands as a testament to their resilience and strength, instilling pride in their story and offering a medium to share it if they choose to.”
Launching her company gave Rosenberg the creative outlet she craved, but it wasn’t flawless. “There have been moments where taking the more straightforward path or even giving up seemed like feasible options,” says Rosenberg. “However, staying true to our 'why,' believing in the importance of every child feeling worthy, valued, and loved, has been my guiding light. In essence, TinySuperheroes is more than just capes; it's about embracing challenges, building a supportive community, and championing the spirit of every child.”
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