Federal Way’s superhero SkyMan in need of car

Published 12:13 pm Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Real life Federal Way superhero Styler Nichols, also known as SkyMan the Tri-Colored Crusader, has volunteered throughout the community helping those in need — but this time he’s the one that could use some help.

“I don’t believe a superhero should beg for money but we are human,” said Nichols, noting the other real life superheroes in Washington, including Phoenix Jones.

The 31-year-old has taken to the Internet crowdfunding resource gofundme.com in the hopes he can rally enough money for a new car.

But Nichols said this mode of transportation isn’t really for him — he would be fine taking the bus.

“I know we could qualify for Access services, Hopelink community services, but we need a car because I go to the grocery store and take dad to doctor appointments,” he said. “It’s just vital.”

Nichols’s dad suffered a stroke last year that left him paralyzed on the left side. He relies on a brace for his foot but is still learning how to walk in it.

Nichols is his father’s caregiver when he’s not volunteering at the many community events.

He was driving to Tacoma for a personal training session when his “trusty red Chevy blazer” broke down.

“I pulled into a Target, bought antifreeze and checked the oil and water,” he said. “I decided I couldn’t make it to my personal training session, decided to limp home but I didn’t make it back to Federal Way.”

Afraid that his vehicle would “blow up,” Nichols took it to a local automotive shop and discovered he had a cracked catalytic converter that was filled with “sludge” along with a broken frame.

“I was quoted something like $7,000,” he recalled, noting he bought the truck in 1998.

Nichols and his father are both on Social Security and disability and have an income of less than $1,000 a month, he said.

“I thought, what can I do to be creative?” Nichols said.

With the motto, “Even heroes need a hand sometimes,” Nichols started his gofundme.com hoping to raise $5,000. So far, he’s raised $590.

A former Highline College student, Nichols said he believes the money he’s gotten came from the efforts of a Highline College advisor.

“He saw my gofundme campaign and put it on his Facebook page and vouched for me,” Nichols said of his advisor. “He put in $100 and issued a challenge. If they donated half or as much as he did, he would hook them up with some home-smoked pecan or home-cured bacon.”

Nichols became SkyMan in 2010 after his own misfortunes in life helped him realize he wanted to help others.

Having been homeless in 2003, Nichols decided he wasn’t going to let mental illness and substance abuse define him.

“I was drunk, depressed and suicidal,” he said of his condition in 2010. “My dad had a heart attack …”

And finding a community called Real Life Superheroes was just what it took to “create himself out of pretty much nothing.”

His first superhero charitable deed included planting trees on Arbor Day in Kent.

“I thought, you know what, I can’t be a crime fighter or patrol like everybody else does,” he said. “I’ll do charity work.”

Wearing a self-made costume, Nichols did just that — and he’s been going strong for five years now.

“I do what I can when I can, he said. “I’m not spectacular. I’m not Phoenix Jones, I don’t have a press agent. I’m just doing what I can to inspire change.”

As a member of the Emerald City Heroes Organization, Nichols hopes money for a car will help him return to being a more active superhero for Federal Way and get back to his life.

“I was trying to pursue social work and I was working on transferring in 2013 [from Highline College] but then dad had his stroke in June and I had to put my life on hold yet again to be primary caregiver,” he said. “Which is part of life. All the years I’ve been a real life superhero, I’ve also been primary caregiver to my disabled dad.”

Even if he has to take the bus, Nichols is looking forward to attending an Arbor Day event in Auburn and Federal Way’s Parks Appreciation Day on April 25.

To learn more about SkyMan or to donate towards his new car, visit www.gofundme.com/skymanneedshelp.