Four-year-old Jackson has a rare genetic condition that prevents him from being able to walk. So every Halloween, his parents get extra creative.
“I’ve always enjoyed Halloween, it’s a fun time of year, and I wanted him to be able to experience it,” explained his dad, Chad Poole, from Sidney, B.C.
Last year, the 41-year-old designed and built the house from the movie Up for the little guy, whom they dressed up as the old man.
Even though Jackson is non-verbal, his parents say it was obvious that he loved it. They say his eyes just lit up at the sight of all the lights and pumpkins in their neighbourhood (orange is his favourite colour).
His dad added that “having that ceiling of balloons and colour above his head really helped” as well. It was also a hit with all the neighbours.
Jackson’s mom, Tracey, challenged her husband to make the Mystery Machine from Scooby Doo this year — a project that he initially thought was way above his skill level.
“I’m not an artist, I’m a meat-cutter by trade.”
Poole guesses he spent over 50 hours working on it.
“A lot of late nights.”
Waiting for the paint to dry was the biggest test of his patience.
“Instead of just sticking a costume on him and putting him in a wagon,” his mom said, “this sort of adds a little extra. A little labour of love.”
And seeing how excited Jackson will be on Halloween will be the biggest payoff, added her husband.
“It melts your heart, makes every hour worth it.”
He’s already started to think about what they’ll make next year. The front-runner, for now, seems to be a space ship.
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