You already read that Batman was my introduction to the world of superheroes. And while I still love Batsy, he isn’t my favorite. That honor goes to Barbara Gordon.

While I grew up watching superhero shows and movies, it wasn’t until I was 21 that I really got into comics. I was at Barnes & Noble when I found myself in the graphic novel section. As I was browsing, I was particularly struck by the art of Babs Tarr in Batgirl of Burnside. I read the whole thing as soon as I got home, seeing so much of myself in the 20-something Barbara Gordon (even more than I was bargaining for, but I’ll get to that). Being in college myself at the time, I read as Barbara dealt with a lot of the same things that I was dealing with at the time, while also finding time to fight crime.

Then, I realized there was so much of her story that I was missing. 

In 1988’s The Killing Joke by Alan Moore, the Joker shoots Barbara through her spine while kidnapping her father, leaving her paralyzed and unable to walk. This is a decision I’m still mad about. Especially since, when asked, the editor Len Wein said, “Yeah, okay, cripple the bitch”. Rude.

Luckily, husband and wife duo Kim Yale and John Ostrander were just as upset and made sure my girl Babs didn’t fall into obscurity, and turned her into a disabled hero. During the next 22 years, she continued to fight crime from her wheelchair as Oracle. Barbara was always highly-skilled with computer science and hacking, and puts those skills to use, feeding information to the heroes in the field.

I suddenly realized how much more in common I had with Barbara. Just a few months after I started reading Batgirl comics, I developed Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disease that causes my immune system to attack my joints, especially in my knees. While definitely not the same as being paralyzed and wheelchair bound, my body had suddenly changed. Walking became difficult and painful.

In the New 52 Barbara regained her ability to walk and returned to her role as Batgirl. This run, written by Gail Simone, focused a lot on Barbara’s inner struggles as she returns to the streets to confront Gotham’s worst. In the midst of it all, she is dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder and often has to fight that battle as she fights criminals, especially those who have guns. 

I know many people were upset when Barbara regained the ability to walk, because she was one of only a few physically disabled characters in comics. However, she is now a character struggling with mental illness, something far too many people can relate to. Here is a young superhero, with no powers, both literally and figuratively fighting demons on a regular basis. Even when she doesn’t win, she gets right back out there and fights for her health and the greater good. I found that to be incredibly inspiring. I saw a character like me fighting to get her life back. And just like Barbara, I learned that things would never truly be the same, but things did get better.

I’m happy to say that at the time of writing this, I’ve been in remission for 3 years. RA is a chronic condition that I will have forever and will one day flare again, but I’m now equipped for that battle when it comes time.

Barbara Gordon is an important character to me because I see her as a role model. Throughout all of her history, she’s always standing up for what she believes in and never lets obstacles hold her back from her goals.