Local News


Wishes do come true: Boy with rare genetic disorder becomes Batman for a day

Posted at 11:29 PM, Apr 29, 2018
and last updated 2018-04-30 02:31:03-04

Wishes do come true! A local boy suffering from a rare genetic disorder became "Batman" for a day.

The little caped crusader took over Downtown Summerlin and turned it into Gotham City.

But 6-year-old Ivan Arteaga wasn't there to fight crime - he was there to go shopping! 

Living with a rare genetic disorder, Ivan is always in pain. Granting his Batman-themed shopping spree was the least Make-A-Wish foundation can do to make him smile.

"There were some volunteers, I could see they were in tears. It's really moving to see a child experience a wish like this," says Nina Radetich of Make-A-Wish.

Magician Landon Swank showed Ivan dozens of new toys before performing tricks for our little superhero.

And of course, what is batman without the Batmobile? After driving around 'Gotham' Batman was ready to call it a day.

"It means a lot. He knew it was his day and it's just wonderful that they did this for him," says mom, Hilda Lisa.

He's a superhero alright.

"Even though he's in pain everyday, he's able to smile. He's able to smile an make everybody else smile," says Lisa.

The inspiring superhero our city needs and deserves.

Ivan is just one of the hundreds of children with critical illnesses in Southern Nevada whose wishes were granted by the Make-A-wish foundation.