Wheelchair costumes turn kids into superheroes

Did you ever dream of being a superhero when you were younger? This man runs a charity that helps all children make that dream a reality.

Do the preparation task first. Then watch the video and do the exercise. You can also read the transcript.

Preparation

Transcript

Ryan Weimer: Normally there's this awkwardness around disability. But with that costume on there, that changed how people saw my son. They saw him first before they saw his disability. It just helps break down that barrier. 'Magic Wheelchair' is a non-profit that builds epic costumes for amazing kiddos in wheelchairs.

Magic Wheelchair started when my son was three years old. Halloween rolled around and he wanted to be a pirate. We were new to the whole disabilities and wheelchair thing. We didn't know anything about spinal muscular atrophy. I saw him sitting in his wheelchair and [thought] 'Ah, we could dress him up as a pirate – be a pirate in a wheelchair. Let's … Let's build a ship.'

We have made probably about 40 different costumes. We have teams right now, all over the country. We have a team in France and [are] working on a team in Australia. We're just gonna (going to) keep on boarding teams cos (because) we wanna (want to) build year round.

It's hard to build for people that are in wheelchairs. But it ultimately starts with the kid, it's whatever they want to be and then we make it a reality.

Halloween was kind of our initial push, but we're seeing like Comic Con, right? I mean, what's cool about that community of CosPlay – that's a very supportive community. The cold reality of childhood diseases are some of them won't be around for next Halloween, so let's find something that we can do while they're here with us, so they have these … they have these great memories and that their … their families have memories when they're gone. It's almost like a cure for the day cos (because) they don't see the wheelchair, they just see these amazing kids, and it bridges gaps and overcomes that awkwardness that we have in society. They're ... star of the show. It's awesome to see.

© Great Big Story

Task 1

Discussion

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Submitted by Kinmalia Anice… on Tue, 20/02/2024 - 16:35

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Seeing the joy and happiness in these little ones and their family faces is priceless. Big up to Magic Wheelchair .

Submitted by Rosi25 on Wed, 29/11/2023 - 01:54

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I loved seeing this father's testimony that to make the child happy, he gave himself completely, not rejecting the child at any time, as happens in other cases. But he showed his love through his actions and words, and through his actions, other parents and children had the opportunity to keep the child's joy in their hearts at that moment, as many do not come back the next Halloween as he explained.

Submitted by dhiyaa on Sun, 24/09/2023 - 19:38

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good video i like it

Submitted by Miguelitorico1996 on Tue, 01/02/2022 - 03:16

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To be honest, I cried when I saw Ryan cry because it is a very noble activity what he is doing with these disabled children.

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Submitted by OlaIELTS on Sat, 25/04/2020 - 13:17

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It's make me to feel that kids are like superheroes when dress up with costumes.

Submitted by HappyZainab on Sat, 13/04/2019 - 14:53

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This video made my day :).
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Submitted by zara.jnb91 on Sun, 17/02/2019 - 12:30

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Hi, I can't watch video, could you help me plz??? tnx a million...

Hello zara.jnb91

This video is from YouTube -- if you follow this link, are you able to watch it there?

All the best

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by quynhchi_1904 on Mon, 03/12/2018 - 02:58

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When I saw those kids dressing up, I cried. This video made me realize that there is somebody who really needs my help. I hope all children always happy and not feel embarrassed about themselves.

Submitted by Alextall on Wed, 21/11/2018 - 04:54

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I wish all children be happy. It is very good to see them laughing. Good luck.