Since it is almost Halloween, I want to share a few costume ideas for young wheelchair users. I have always loved having the chance to dress up and put my imagination to work. As a kid, I would use my wheelchair as a magical prop. If I dressed up like a princess, then my wheelchair was my throne or my magic carpet. When I felt like fighting bad guys, my wheelchair became a Harley Bike or Wonder Woman’s Invisible Plane. Although I got more self-conscious about my wheelchair drawing attention as I got older, I have never stopped believing that it is the source of my imagination and independence.

If you or your loved one are doing a storybook or cartoon character, here are a few suggestions:

• Disney Princess
  • Posterboard or cardboard can be shaped into the base of a throne. Make sure you measure the width of the seat before you cut it out. You can decorate it with glitter, flowers, or stickers. Once you finished, you can tie onto the back of the chair or you can clip it on with clothespins.
  • You could use paper snowflakes and cotton if your princess is Elsa.
  • If you want to do Princess Jasmine, you could get an old rug and cover your seat and have tassels hanging from your armrests/tray.
• Disney Villian
  • Maleficent is popular right now. Instead of a throne of flowers and glitter, you can decorate with leaves and light sticks. You can also buy a fake crow and tie it to your armrest.
  • You can create purple tentacles to be by your footplates if you are doing Ursula.
• Fairy (Like Tinkerbell)
  • I have dressed up as Tinkerbell a couple of times and loved having colorful wings attached to my seat, however, the wings usually poked me every time I turned my head. So I suggest pinning them a little low.
•  Ninja Turtle
  • A turtle can’t live with a shell. You can shape cardboard into an oval shape and stick weapons on.
• Paw Patrol
  • Each pup has a vehicle such as a fire truck. Cut out long rectangles for each side of the wheelchair and draw wheels.
• Pokémon
  • You can have a big opened Pokémon ball on the top of the wheelchair.

If Superheroes or movie characters are more your style, consider these:

• Marvel or DC Comic Heroes
  • You can cut out poster board into a comic book cover.
  • For Batman, you can shape cardboard into the Batmobile.
  • For Superman or Supergirl, you can create the Kyroptian space pod they arrive in.
  • For any Avenger, you can have the infinity stones around you by sticking big rhinestones on sticks. The sticks can be tied on the back.
  • You can put Captain America’s shield on the side.
• Star Wars
  • You can create any spaceship or hook lightsabers on the back.
• Iconic Movies
  • You can create vehicles such as the Ghost Busters car or the Pink Ladies car.

If you are into scary costumes, then create a tombstone or a coffin.

Whatever you decide to do, have fun with it and let your creativity go wild!