Student’s 'Mad Max' Wheelchair Costume Raises the Bar for Halloween
An image of Benjamin Carpenter in an epic “Mad Max” wheelchair costume made the front page of Reddit Thursday morning, and though it’s not even October yet, we’re already convinced this is one of the best Halloween ideas out there.
Carpenter debuted the rig at the Tampa Bay Comic Con (TBCC) in Florida this August, and the 20-year-old University of Central Florida student told The Mighty he will take it out for a few different Halloween events this fall — he may even use it as a horror-themed prop in his family’s driveway. “One of my family’s favorite things is to scare people as they come up to our house, and the rigs would give us a lot of different options,” he told The Mighty.
Carpenter said his inspiration for the costume was fueled by his love for all things “Mad Max,” as well as a few enthusiastic friends. Carpenter met Amy Brumfield at Metrocon in Tampa this past year, and as two of the only “Mad Max” cosplayers, they bonded and decided to team up for TBCC. Brumfield serves as Carpenter’s “Warboy.” Carpenter said the fellow cosplayers with disabilities have inspired him, most notably, army vet Ronald Seaman.
The wheelchair in the photos is a Permobil C500 standing chair, which is what Carpenter uses to get around on a daily basis. Carpenter, who plays for the US National Power Wheelchair Soccer Team, has another ride, but “that one is specialized for the sport and not easily made suitable for cosplaying,” he said.
Carpenter was born with spinal muscular atrophy, and in 2007, he received a Nestle’s Very Best in Youth Award for being a young person “whose efforts are making a profound impact in lives other than their own,” according to an article published on the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s website. He’s quite humble about the recognition he’s received over the years though.
“Thank you all so much for all the support and comments!” he wrote on Reddit. “I am utterly speechless at how this cosplay has been spread, and honestly, all I can say is thank you for making this SO SHINY AND CHROME!”
We see what he did with that shiny and chrome line, and we absolutely love it.
Do you have a photo of an awesome wheelchair costume you plan on wearing for Halloween this year? If so, send it to us at community@themighty.com! Your image may be used in a post on The Mighty.