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Each since his birth, Anthony Alfano’s parents have created unique and elaborate costumes for him, for Halloween, and this year, they’ve taken elaborate to new heights. Alfonso is going as the Lincoln Monument housed in a snow globe!
Inside Edition reports that Anthony was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was an infant. Once he grew a little older, he started using a wheelchair to get around, but according to his mother, Deanna Alfano, it didn’t stop them from dressing Anthony up every Halloween, and always in extravagant costumes that seem to impress anyone who sees them.
“People started really responding to Anthony’s costumes and expecting it every year,” said Deanna. “My husband growing up was really into Halloween so it just kind of snowballed….Once he’s in his costume he totally he laughs and smiles and definitely loves the attention.”
This year’s Halloween costume came about seemingly out of nowhere. Once Anthony’s parent’s decided on the Lincoln Memorial, they simply took it a step further and threw a snow globe into the mix.
“Since he’s in the wheelchair, we look for things for sitting,” Deanna said. “Right after Halloween last year we thought about the Lincoln Memorial and we were like what can we do to take it a step further, and we thought of the snow globe.”
Anthony and his unique costumes are entered into Halloween costumes every year. But his parents also take the time to take him trick-or-treating, once they can get him and his large costumes out the front door! Regardless, Deanna said her son is a special kid with a big heart, and absolutely loves when Halloween comes around each year.
He’s an amazing kid and we get such a kick out of doing it for him. We almost do it as special thing for all the other kids too. It’s a chance to have other kids other kids rally around him.”
While most parents probably won’t make such detailed costumes for their children, there’s no reason why kids with cerebral palsy can’t have a fun and exciting Halloween. Today, there are a lot more options available to children with disabilities than ever before. There are a number of accessible Halloween activities that children with cerebral palsy can participate in.
For instance, most communities across the nation offer a “Trunk or Treat” day on Halloween, where traditional trick-or-treating is done by going to the trunks of parked vehicles, loaded with goodies. Trunk or Treat events are generally held in safe community settings, such as a school or church field, and children with disabilities don’t have to worry about going up stairs or steep inclines.
Another option is trick-or-treating at the mall. Although this isn’t a new creation, many malls now make sure that children with disabilities have access to stores participating in the Halloween celebration by having their employees stand outside of the store doors with candy.
Of course, costumes are always a bit tricky for children in wheelchairs, but parents can easily find a number of ideas with a simple Google search. A few ideas include a Super Mario race cart, a mermaid, a neighborhood trolley, a flower garden, or a pumpkin patch. Magic Wheelchair, a non-profit organization, helps children in wheelchairs by creating the costume of their dreams, free of charge. To check out some of their ideas or to apply to have them create your child a wheelchair-based costume, visit their official site, here.
