Sault boy is a real-life super hero

A Sault Ste. Marie boy born with a rare medical disorder is packing his bag for Disney World thanks to the Make A Wish Foundation.

Staff and students at Pinewood Elementary School gathered to cheer on six-year-old Memphis Rollin, who many see as a real-life superhero.

A red carpet event was held at Memphis’ school, where special guests Spider-Man, Batman and Captain America joined in the celebration along with members of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service and Sault Mayor Matthew Shoemaker.

It was at this event that Memphis learned his wish to visit Disney World in Florida would be coming true.

“We spent the whole day researching and looking up videos and different excursions and at the end of the day we said, ‘What do you think?’ And he said, ‘Disney World,’” said Madison Rollin, Memphis’ mother.

“So, that’s where we’re going.”

Since birth, Memphis has battled 19 afflictions, including chronic kidney disease, sleep apnea, developmental delay and a rare congenital defect called Goldenhar Syndrome.

Memphis has undergone more than a dozen surgical procedures and must often travel to SickKids Hospital in Toronto for treatment.

Despite his medical challenges, Rollin said her son is unflappable and continues to rise to the occasion.

“He’s so resilient,” she said.

“He goes in for blood work, his routine blood work, he sits there by himself (and says) ‘I got this mom, I’m a big boy now,’ and it’s awesome to see that resilience in him.”

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To help the family with the cost of repeated trips to SickKids, Pinewood staff and students are selling ‘Memphis’ Wish’ T-shirts.

Rollin said they can also be purchased from her directly, or through local business, Team Essentials.