Batman brightens spirits of hospitalized children

Leonard B. Robinson has spent thousands on his Batman costume and memorabilia, which he hands out to area children hospitalized with life-threatening illnesses. Read related story.

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March 27, 2012

Leonard Robinson is known as Batman to children in area hospitals. He visits hospitals in costume and hands out Batman hats, shirts, backpacks and other things to brighten their days. Here, he is photographed at his home in Owings Mills.

Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post

March 27, 2012

Robinson is known as Batman to children he visits in area hospitals to try to brighten their spirits. "These visits provide an immediate boost for these kids," said Jeffrey Dome, the oncology division chief at Children’s National Medical Center. “Some of these children have to stay for weeks or months at a time. That wears down the children and it wears down the family. You have to keep up morale. A visit from a superhero is sort of like a fantasy in the middle of all this hard-core therapy.”

Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post

March 27, 2012

Robinson is photographed at his home in Owings Mills. Robinson has been visiting area hospitals since 2001.

Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post

March 27, 2012

“I’m just doing it for the kids,” Robinson says.

Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post

The Batmobile Robinson drives. He plays the character to help brighten the spirits of children in area hospitals. Sometimes, Robinson’s son, Brandon, visits hospitals, too, dressed as Robin.

Allen Goldberg

March 27, 2012

Robinson is pictured here in his Batmobile.

Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post

March 27, 2012

Robinson drives in his Batmobile.

Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post

March 27, 2012

Robinson hands out Batman hats, shirts, backpacks and other things to brighten the days of children in area hospitals.

Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post

Yes, Batman was stopped by the Montgomery County Police Department on Wednesday on Route 29. He didn’t have tags on his Batmobile. “I think everyone saw me on Route 29,” he acknowledged.

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An image of the Batmobile Robinson drives. Robinson says of his Batman persona, “It feels like I have a responsibility that’s beyond a normal person. And that responsibility is to be there for the kids, to be strong for them, and to make them smile as much as I can.”

Allen Goldberg

Robinson sits in his Batmobile while Jayden Deleon-Talbert, brother of Khloe Deleon-Talbert, a patient being treated at Children’s National Medical Center, plays at the annual Hope for Henry Superhero Celebration.

Allen Goldberg

Robinson talks to Jayden Deleon-Talbert, brother of Khloe Deleon-Talbert, a patient being treated at Children’s National Medical Center, at the annual Hope for Henry Superhero Celebration.

Allen Goldberg

Robinson and Leslie Vincent, dressed as Wonder Woman, visit patient Fatou Mboge and her mom, Awa Janneh, at the annual Hope for Henry Superhero Celebration at Georgetown Hospital.

Allen Goldberg

Henry Strongin Goldberg meets Batman.

Allen Goldberg

March 27, 2012

A wealthy businessman, Robinson has spent thousands on his Batman outfit, Batmobile and Batman-themed gifts he gives away to sick children in area hospitals.

Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post

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