Twelve-Year-Old Takes Part In Annual Event Sponsored By Marvel And Law Firm Irwin Mitchell

A 12-year-old girl with cerebral palsy is celebrating one of her biggest achievements after taking part in the Superhero Series challenge powered by Marvel.

Aishikee Barman-Roy, from Woodford Green, Essex, was diagnosed with four-limb cerebral palsy shortly after birth.  As a result, she suffers from global development delay and cognitive impairment.  Aishikee, known as Aish, is also non-verbal and uses a communication device to talk as well as an electric wheelchair.

Following Aish’s diagnosis, her parents Saikat and Debdatta instructed medical negligence experts at Irwin Mitchell to investigate their daughter’s care.

Their legal team secured a settlement for the family, which will ensure Aish has access to the lifetime specialist treatment and therapies she requires to live as independently as possible.  The funds are being managed by Irwin Mitchell’s Court of Protection team on Aish’s behalf to ensure they last the rest of her life.

Now, for the fourth year running, Aish has taken part in the Superhero Series event, which is sponsored by Irwin Mitchell and superhero creators Marvel.  The event ran from 17 July to 14 August.

Aish completed a marathon (26.2 miles) within two weeks, using an Innowalk adapted treadmill, which was three days faster than her time from last year.  This has led to her raising more than £800 for Skanda Vale Hospice, a charity based in Wales which supports terminally ill people.

Expert Opinion

“Aish is such a happy, loving girl and her determination is such an inspiration.

With the support of her family, she has always been confident in not letting her disabilities define her and stop her from succeeding. This has been evident time and time again with her participation in the Superheroes series.

Aish is a real life little superhero and makes her family proud every day. We look forward to seeing what she achieves in the future.”
Bronwen Lancaster - Associate Director

Aish lives with a high level of disability.  As well as having to use a communication device and self-operated electric wheelchair, she also suffers from gastro-reflux and is fed via a tube.

However, she never lets it prevent her from doing what she wants.  She has a busy home-schooling and therapy schedule.  In addition, alongside the Superheroes challenge, Aish takes part in the London 10k with dad Saikat.  She enjoys the excitement and cheering during the events, while also raising funds for a good cause.

Aish also has a four-year-old sister, Aanaya, who took a keen interest in Aish’s Superheroes challenge and always encourages and cheers for her.

The At Home Superheroes event replaced the Superhero Tri event last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Speaking after Aish completed her marathon, mum Debdatta said: “Aish loves helping others and doing charity work.  At the same time, she doesn’t see anything as too much of a challenge and refuses to let her disability stop her from achieving anything.

“Due to being in a wheelchair, Aish faces issues accessing some things, and she needs longer to communicate with having to write the words letter by letter into her communication device.  She also needs help with all of her personal care.  Despite this, she remains a very determined young girl.  She would say this is her superpower, as she takes on challenges and doesn’t stop until she has finished

“She was determined to complete her Superheroes marathon in 14 days, which was three days quicker than last year.  She did this and was so excited to get her medal.

“In true sense, Aish is differently abled as she does everything differently; she dances, swims and runs in her own way.  She is a fun loving social girl and also makes us laugh a lot, and in my view her biggest superpower is her smiling face.

“She is such a special young lady and we’re so proud of her achievements.  We even joke about her being a UN ambassador one day for being such a kind girl.”

More than 13 million people in the UK live with a disability, yet only one in eight regularly take part in any sport, despite the physical and psychological benefits it brings.  Now in its fifth year, the Superhero Series allows people of all ages to join forces with other heroes nationwide and do as much as they can, without worries over cut off times or equipment restrictions.

Highlights from At Homes Superheroes will be shown on Channel 4 on Saturday 21 August at 8am.