It’s all about a mothers love putting a smile on her child’s face.
Port Hope resident Sarah Orr has more than a special bond with her 14-year-old son Owen.
They are insuperable. Each one makes the other smile every day.
Owen has a incurable disease. He will never be out of a wheelchair. And frankly, he’s fine with that. He’s always loved his wheelchair since he was confined to it at approximately eight-years-old. Orr said he’s always taken whatever comes on his “medical journey” with a smile.
For Owen, the wheelchair is “cool” said his mother.
Every year Orr asks her son what he would like to be for Halloween.
Each year he always states something different.
“Owen’s always loved vehicles and he’s always loved those little toy cars that kids get to play in,” said Orr.
“But due to his disability he hasn’t been able to fit in them. This is his way of being able to have that. Whatever he wants, he gets for Halloween.”
Last year it was a police car, another year it was a Zamboni, and this year Owen’s wish was for a snow plow.
Orr works for days, designing and marking the body that fits over her 14-year-old sons wheelchair.
After working five long days and into the evening, it was finally completed, just in time for Halloween.
While her son patiently waits in the driveway, Orr puts the two pieces together carefully using zip-ties hoping everything will stay in place on the soggy night.
The plow comes complete with blue flashing lights, a plow on the front and of course a license plate with the word “SNOW” on it.
One by one the wheels go on and then they are both off for a night of trick or treating.
Owen said, “it’s the best costume ever.”
Mom goes up to the door for the candy, and Owen yells, “Happy Halloween” from the end of the driveway.
Sometimes Orr said, people answering the door give candy, but look at her strangely, until the see the snow plow at the end of the driveway and realize the candy is for her son.
Neighbours each year also look forward to seeing what Owen’s wish was, and the creation that his mother made for him.
It’s not uncommon to see people come out of their homes and take pictures of the costume.
Before retiring from the evening of trick or treating, Owen has to do a few spins on the roadway simulating a burnout before calling it a night.
Whenever he is asked where he got the costume, he proudly tells anyone that his “awesome mom” made it for him.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
