His legs are weaker than those of most 12-year-olds, and communicating can be challenging.
But when he donned his Batman costume Wednesday night, David Dakake became a true superhero. He was the star of his own party. And it didn't matter that the calendar showed it was two days past Halloween.
David spent two weeks in the hospital and was forced to miss trick-or-treating in his Paulding County neighborhood. Then his community found out, and within minutes, neighbors vowed to give David his own special day.
Dozens of people offered to extend Halloween until Wednesday to allow one more Batman to knock on the door for treats. Others nearby offered their land for cars to park and hold a "trunk or treat" for David. And a local business owner with a 1973 Buick Riviera offered to chauffeur the boy, who was overwhelmed and thrilled by all of the attention.
Batman couldn’t stop to talk long. But he let a newspaper reporter know he was every bit as strong as the costume made him look.
Born at 24 weeks gestation in a remote area of Latvia, David has cerebral palsy and is deaf. He came to the United States as a toddler and was adopted into a large, loving family. But his special needs at times require extra medical attention, including his recent hospital stay.
Like any kid, David loves his birthday, though Halloween is a close second. He was devastated at the thought of missing out this year.
But on the afternoon of Halloween, his mom had an idea. The family had just moved into the Seven Hills neighborhood near Dallas, and Leann Dakake had hardly unpacked. But she wondered if just a few new neighbors, maybe 10, would leave their Halloween decorations outside long enough for David to return home.
“If anyone would be open to us bringing him by Wednesday night for a make-up trick or treating stop, please let me know,” Dakake posted on a neighborhood Facebook page. “A few houses is all he needs and he will be so happy!”
When she checked Facebook later, she was shocked at the outpouring. By Tuesday morning, several volunteers were organizing an event larger than what Dakake could have imagined.
“There are people texting me every five minutes,” Dakake said Tuesday, adding that she and her family couldn’t be more grateful.
Many in the community were thrilled to be a part of David’s special day.
“It was just exciting that we’re now embracing this population,” said Julieanne Wooley, who came dressed as the Dr. Seuss character Thing 2. “There’s more awareness and more acceptance.”
Wooley has a daughter with what she calls “special abilities,” and when she read a Facebook post about David, she knew she had to help. She collected candy for the Wednesday night fun and brought her twin daughters to help hand out treats.
“As soon as I read it, I said, ‘We’re doing something,’” said Jan Machovina.
She, her husband Richard, and their 12-year-old son Tyler brought some Halloween decorations and candy Wednesday night. It felt good to be able to give back, Tyler said.
When David arrived at the trunk-or-treat, he was greeted by dozens of people, many wearing costumes. It’s proof, Dakake said, that there are people willing to help others in need — a welcome break in a world filled with sad news.
“People will come together when there’s something that touches their heart,” she said.
With his bag of candy in tow, David climbed back into the Buick to head back to his neighborhood for more trick-or-treating. He flashed a “thumbs up” and said, “Bye!” And Batman was off.
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