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Mar 4, 2006 6:00 am US/Eastern
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Finding Inspiration Through Comic Books
by Ukee Washington
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
Many parents can relate to a child who has trouble reading and is not interested in books.
CBS 3 Anchor Ukee Washington reports on a young man who was able to overcome his problem and find relief with something many kids are told to put down, comic books.
The story line is simple, "Don't give up on your kids," Hollie Axel said.
Axel's son Nash is not only a pinball wizard, he has magically turned years of frustration dyslexia and special education courses into graduating from high school as a main-streamed A-B" student, but it wasn't easy.
"It was like pulling teeth to get him to read," said Axel.
The early chapters of his life were tough pages to get through.
"His uncle suggested that he start reading comic books and with that. his uncle Neal introduced him to the X-Men," described Axel.
It started way back when he loved dressing like the very characters he was reading about, just "kickin' around" the idea scored a major interest.
"This is the first X-Men issue that I ever received from my uncle, the one that started this sick obsession of mine," said Nash Axel.
Obsession is an under statement. He's got it all, Spiderman, Batman, X-Men, you name it. It's a massive collection that is worth thousands of dollars.
"It's a $500 book usually at its cheapest," Nash said as he held a piece of his collection.
When he's not working part-time after school, Nash is a major collector and attends comic book conventions. He frequently visits an area comic book store.
"It's like a club where everybody is invited," said Nash
While there, he can order, search for, and buy even the hard to find comics.
"I just usually use half my paycheck, usually get, spend at least $40-a-week of my money," he said.
"There always something for everybody and someone's gonna find some value in it too," said comic store owner.
"There are grown men who don't collections that he has and are trying to get where he is," said Hollie Axel.
The stories heightened interests and emotions so much that it turned Nash into a "super-man."
"It's easier for me to read now. I can honestly say I'm the only person in my class reading Hamlet. When everyone else is using Spark Notes, I'll actually read it cause I enjoy it," he said. "I can't wait to go to college to get a degree in accounting."
And it all adds up, no matter what the obstacle. When it comes to finding what might better a child's life, it doesn't take superhero strength.
"You just have to encourage them and find it with them," said Hollie Axel.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)