KEIZER, Ore. (KOIN) — Keaton and Bryce Weimer are like most brothers — especially excited for Halloween.
Every year, their dad, Ryan Weimer, builds them costumes that have gained national attention. Now, he’s on a mission to help every kid who might be like the Weimer boys.
With the precision of a surgeon, a volunteer draws this year’s latest Halloween design. He’s working with local builders to create the Ninja Turtles, Sponge Bob and his boat and Mario Cart.
They are more than just a costume.
“It bridges gaps, it eliminates stigmas and stereotypes,” said Ryan Weimer. “It’s something else. I don’t knows what it is, but it’s something beautiful.”
Weimer, who has posted videos on YouTube, is the brains behind the beautiful project that he started for his first son 7 years ago.
“I can remember that first costume and just seeing people’s reactions,” he told KOIN 6 News. “It was just a totally different experience for him.”
Fast forward to last year and Weimer spent 200 hours making a “How to Train Your Dragon”-inspired get-up, but it took just seconds for his son’s classmates to come up to Keaton Weimer turned “Toothless.”
“As a father, as a parent, you want your kids to be included and our kids are often left out because they get around different and have different ways of doing things,” said Weimer.
Keaton, 10, was born with a form of muscular dystrophy, but that doesn’t slow him down.
“I play hockey, I like to play video games and buying things,” said Keaton.
His imagination and dad’s hard work went viral last year. Publications like MTV News, Buzzfeed and Huffington Post noted the clever costumes Weimer now wants to make for every kid in a wheelchair – including Keaton’s brother. Three-year-old Bryce also has muscular dystrophy.
The designs can cost up to $5,000, but the Weimer family will tell you, the memories being made are priceless.
“I think life is about figuring out how to make people happy,” Weimer said. He has since started a non-profit called Magic Wheelchair and created a campaign to earn enough money to build the costumes.
This year, Ryan and his team of volunteers are making 8 of them for local kids.
If you know someone deserving for next year, click on this link where you can submit an application.
If you want to find out what the Weimer boys were for this Halloween, check back with KOIN.com for an update Monday.