If you think you have a great Halloween costume, prepare to be put to shame by John Sundquist.
Josh is a Paralympic ski racer, motivational speaker and best-selling author. His story is pretty incredible. At nine years old, John was diagnosed with cancer. Doctors said he had a 50% percent chance of living. Luckily, after starting chemotherapy, he made a complete recovery. But unfortunately, he lost his left leg. In such a tragic situation, some people might be depressed and angry and want to give up. Not John. He learned how to ski-race and even competed in the 2006 Paralympics.
However, John's world-famous for his amazing work on Halloween. Since 2010, he's created clever costumes that brilliantly incorporate his amputation. (And I assume have won a lot of money at costume contests!) John says this is both fun and a way to cope with his disability:
“I’ve always dealt with the social discomfort of my disability by having a sense of humor. But now I’m more comfortable with who I am and what I look like, and I guess with these Halloween costumes you could even say that I celebrate what makes me different. Which may be either weird or refreshing, depending on your perspective.”
Let's take a look back at his previous work. And by the time you're done, you'll want to throw that "Sexy Cat" outfit in the garbage.
2010: “From Shrek. Not the gumdrop buttons!”
2012: “My wife Ashley suggested this idea, a reference to the movie ‘A Christmas Story'"
2013: “I was just at the zoo one time and I noticed that flamingos look like me doing a crutch handstand. So yeah.”
2014: “A YouTube subscriber suggested it to me at VidCon. I thought it was appropriate since last year I was also named to the US Amputee World Cup Team.”
2015: “It’s a classic amputee joke. This year I decided to anthropomorphize it”
2016: “Lumiere—He’s Disney’s most famous monopod”
Every year, John comes up with something visually incredible, with a wicked sense of humor. It really puts my past Halloween costumes to shame: Jason Voorhees, Prom Queen, Calvin from Calvin & Hobbes, Prom Queen (Hey, I look hot, don't hate on me). So it goes without saying, the pressure's on John for 2017. What will he come up with this year? The answer will make you bounce with joy.
2017: “Here’s my Halloween costume! Tigger!”
To really appreciate this Tigger costume, you have to watch it in motion:
[[youtubewidget||https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkOEc-GjKIA]]
Sorry, everybody. John Sundquist wins Halloween this year, just like every year. If you're going to a Halloween party and hoping to win a costume contest, check the guest list. If John's invited, you're not going to win, so don't try too hard. He will iHop over what you have planned.
It's inspiring to see somebody make the most of a bad situation. If something goes wrong in your life, try to be like John, and bounce back.
