As Halloween approaches and everyone crams to put together last-minute costumes, SMA parents may be wondering how they can get their kids involved. Traditional store-bought costumes are often difficult for SMA children to wear, as they’re either too tight or quite uncomfortable.
However, one company wants to make sure that every kid feels epic on Halloween. The nonprofit Magic Wheelchair works year-round to create specialized costumes for children in wheelchairs. Recently covered in the SMA News Today podcast, this organization was founded by Ryan and Lana Weimer, whose son Keaton has SMA.
To apply for a costume, parents simply submit a short video of their child that explains what costume they want and for what event. Since its launch in 2015, Magic Wheelchair has produced costumes for Halloween, comic cons, birthday parties and a wide range of other events.
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The Magic Wheelchair gallery shows the various costumes the organization has created, including Toothless from How To Train Your Dragon, the Justice League, and original character creations. According to the company’s founders and volunteer staff, no request is too big.
“Ultimately, creating each costume provides an awesome experience: taking something from Keaton’s imagination and seeing it realized as we hit the streets with our kids leading the way,” says co-founder Ryan Weimer on the Magic Wheelchair website. “People are amazed and it is a great opportunity for us to let people know about SMA and MD.”
To learn more about the company and how to get involved, visit the website at www.magicwheelchair.com, and be sure to listen to the SMA News Today podcast on SoundCloud.
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SMA News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
Kevin Schaefer is a writer from Cary, North Carolina with SMA Type II. He studied English at NC State University with concentrations in film studies and creative writing, and since graduating he’s been focused on freelance journalism as well as writing comic book scripts. When he’s not writing or consuming excessive amounts of comic books and movies, he enjoys spending time with family and friends and considers himself blessed that they put up with his ramblings. He is the youngest of three and lives with his parents and dog Pandora. The dog gets the most attention.
Kevin Schaefer is a writer from Cary, North Carolina with SMA Type II. He studied English at NC State University with concentrations in film studies and creative writing, and since graduating he’s been focused on freelance journalism as well as writing comic book scripts. When he’s not writing or consuming excessive amounts of comic books and movies, he enjoys spending time with family and friends and considers himself blessed that they put up with his ramblings. He is the youngest of three and lives with his parents and dog Pandora. The dog gets the most attention.
