Man Was 9 When He Lost His Leg to Cancer. As an Adult, He Celebrates Halloween by Making Costumes Only He Could Wear (Exclusive)

**Josh Sundquist to Celebrate Halloween with Creative Adaptive Costume**

Josh Sundquist, known for his innovative and adaptive Halloween costumes, has announced that he will be dressing up as Forky from the beloved Toy Story franchise this Halloween. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Sundquist shared that this year’s celebration will be a family affair, with his wife Ashley and their three-year-old son, who will be dressed as Woody and Buzz Lightyear, respectively.

The family will be celebrating their first Halloween in Vero Beach, Florida. For Sundquist, this transformation into a Toy Story character holds special significance as his son is an enthusiastic fan of the movies. “It’s thrilling to share such a joyful moment with him,” Sundquist stated. “Bringing the fun of these costumes to life, rather than just sharing them online, adds a delightful new layer to my Halloween journey.”

Sundquist’s journey into creativity began at a young age. After losing a leg to cancer at just nine years old, the former Paralympic athlete sought to adapt his Halloween costumes to fit his unique circumstances. His viral moment came in 2012 when he dressed as the leg lamp from the classic film A Christmas Story, sparking a trend of annual inventive costumes that followed.

Over the years, Sundquist has donned an array of imaginative costumes, including a Pixar lamp, the Genie from Aladdin, and Tigger from Winnie the Pooh. A hallmark of his designs is the clear representation of his disability. “I always aim to make it visually obvious that a costume is designed for someone with a different physique, to showcase the unique challenge it presents,” he explained in a previous interview.

Originally, Sundquist had another costume in mind for this Halloween; however, he was inspired to switch gears after Forky re-emerged in the Toy Story franchise. He expressed excitement not only about wearing the costume but also about the experience of trick-or-treating alongside his son. “To know we will be together, enjoying these moments, adds an emotional depth to my crafting each year,” noted Sundquist.

This year, he has worked closely with costume maker Calen Hoffman, with whom he has collaborated since 2020. The pair has even transitioned from using a duct tape mannequin to a life-sized model that replicates Sundquist’s body proportions. One of the main challenges this time was ensuring that Forky’s arms and head were appropriately scaled for the costume. Sundquist recalled, “We had to figure out how to maintain the spork likeness while making it wearable.”

Sundquist aims to incorporate his crutches into the costume, blurring the lines between the character’s design and his own mobility aids. “Most of my costumes are designed without crutches, yet this time I wanted them to be part of the costume itself,” he explained. This approach allowed him to integrate the long arms of Forky with the crutches, enhancing the costume’s overall creativity.

Having gained recognition over the years for his imaginative costumes, Sundquist believes that his work positively reframes the narrative surrounding amputees. “I appreciate when people see an amputee and feel inspired or amused, rather than pitying the individual,” he commented. He recognised that creative expression through costumes can significantly influence public perceptions about disabilities.

Sundquist has also noticed the impact his costumes have had on the disability community, particularly amongst children. He continuously receives messages from families who find joy and reassurance in his work. “Hearing from families with children who have special needs truly reminds me of the difference creativity can make in their lives,” he reflected.

With a commitment to encourage others, Sundquist is eager to promote adaptive costumes. He invites anyone with costume ideas to reach out, hoping to amplify their voices and empower a new generation facing similar challenges. “I intend to keep this momentum going; however, one day I may not be able to. We need to create a foundation for other families so they too can experience the joy and expression that comes from adaptive costumes,” he emphasised.

As Halloween approaches, Sundquist’s efforts continue to foster inspiration and creativity among those with disabilities, broadening the understanding of inclusivity within the realm of festive celebrations.