SBF 70 years logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Grandfather Builds School Bus Costume for Grandson in Wheelchair

Gary Mompher of Ohio creates the cardboard Halloween costume, which fits over 5-year-old Blake Mompher’s wheelchair. It includes custom lettering and four red lights.

Nicole Schlosser
Nicole SchlosserFormer Executive Editor
November 2, 2018
Grandfather Builds School Bus Costume for Grandson in Wheelchair

Gary Mompher created a cardboard Halloween costume to fit over 5-year-old Blake Mompher’s wheelchair. It includes custom lettering and four red lights. Photo courtesy Megan Mompher

2 min to read


Gary Mompher created a cardboard Halloween costume to fit over 5-year-old Blake Mompher’s wheelchair. It includes custom lettering and four red lights. Photo courtesy Megan Mompher

PROSPECT, Ohio — A man here used his artistic talent to create a school bus costume for his grandson, who uses a wheelchair, for Halloween.

The costume fits over 5-year-old Blake Mompher’s wheelchair. Gary Mompher, his grandfather, designed the costume based on a concept that came from Megan Mompher, his mother, according to ABC News. His father, Aric Mompher, provided the cardboard boxes.

Gary worked for three days in his garage on the costume, which includes custom lettering and four circular, hand-painted red lights, ABC News reports. He also created a bulldozer costume for Blake in 2016.

Megan told WSYX/WTTE that her son has “always really liked school buses.”

Blake has Spina Bifida, and has had several surgeries throughout his life, according to WSYX/WTTE. He is about to undergo bladder reconstruction surgery.

Gary said that it “was like a miracle” to see his grandson get into the costume earlier this month, ABC News reports, because last year Blake had health problems that kept him from celebrating with an elaborate costume. This year, however, Gary told ABC News that Blake “immediately started rolling the chair and trying to run me down and everybody down.”

View a video below from WSYX of Blake in his school bus costume.

MEET BLAKE: He’s 5-years-old, from Marion County and an internet sensation in his school bus costume! His newfound fame has been lots of unexpected fun for his family. And it couldn’t have come at a better time ❤️ I can’t wait to share their story! pic.twitter.com/eVdPHXd98e

— Stacia Naquin (@StaciaWSYX6) October 30, 2018

More Special Needs Transportation

school bus driver
SponsoredMarch 2, 2026

7 Key Criteria for Choosing a School Bus Fleet Technology Partner

Download this white paper for clear guidance on evaluating your organization’s needs and selecting a partner who delivers long-term value.

Read More →
Infographic showing a yellow school bus with a wheelchair lift and charts highlighting 2026 special-needs transportation statistics, including ridership changes and driver pay comparisons.
SponsoredFebruary 27, 2026

2026 Special-Needs Transportation Survey

What’s changing in special-needs transportation? This year, student transportation operators report a rising need, easing driver shortages, growing tech adoption, and evolving challenges. Sponsored by AMF Bruns of America.

Read More →
the route thumbnail with the SBF logo and a photo of Brianna Pauwee
Sponsoredby Amanda HuggettFebruary 13, 2026

The Lived-Experience Gap in Mobility Tech: An Expert Take on Safe Student Transportation

Brianna Pauwee, a product application specialist at AMF Bruns of America and a wheelchair user, drops in to The Route to share practical securement and training insights, plus the story behind the new “Beyond Mobility” podcast. The Route is sponsored by IC Bus.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
The Route thumbnail with school bus fleet logo
SponsoredFebruary 11, 2026

What Transportation Gets Wrong About Wheelchair Securement (And How to Fix It)

Brianna Pauwee, product application specialist at AMF Bruns of America and a wheelchair user shares practical securement and training insights, plus why she launched the “Beyond Mobility” podcast. The Route is sponsored by IC Bus.

Read More →
Composite image showing school transportation professionals participating in special-needs training sessions, including hands-on demonstrations and classroom instruction, with a school bus visible in

Keeping Up With Special-Needs Training & Standards: What Districts Need To Know in 2026

As the number of students with disabilities and IEPs rises nationwide, transportation teams face growing pressure to stay compliant, confident, and trained. Explore what’s evolving and how to stay on top of it all.

Read More →
School Transportation
SponsoredFebruary 9, 2026

How Supplemental Transportation Helps Close Driver Gaps

Ongoing driver shortages nationwide are forcing tough transportation decisions. See how districts are using supplemental transportation to maintain coverage for high-needs students.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
driver of the year award logo against a dark blue backdrop with text that says "Nominations Now Open" and the AMF Bruns and School Bus Fleet logos
Special Needs Transportationby StaffFebruary 5, 2026

Announcing 2026 Special-Needs Driver of the Year Nominations

Honoring the exemplary accomplishments of school bus drivers transporting students with disabilities, AMF Bruns of America’s ninth annual National Special-Needs School Bus Driver of the Year Award series is open for nominations!

Read More →
Graphic showing a school bus with a wheelchair lift deployed and the headline “Special Needs Ridership Rises & More Trends,” highlighting 2026 School Bus Fleet special-needs survey results.

Special-Needs Transportation Shifts in 2026: More Riders, More Tech, New Pressures [Survey Report]

What’s changing in special-needs transportation? Operators report a rising need, easing driver shortages, growing tech adoption, and emerging challenges. Details here! Survey sponsor: AMF Bruns of America.

Read More →
An aerial photograph of Jersey City, New Jersey, during the day.

New Jersey Legislature Approves Special Education Transportation Task Force

The state moves to review special education transportation policies following safety concerns raised by families and advocates.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
SponsoredJanuary 19, 2026

3 New Ways Fleet Software Pays: ROI opportunities for modern fleet managers

Keeping buses safe, reliable, and on schedule requires more than manual processes. This eBook explores how modern fleet software supports school transportation teams with automated maintenance scheduling, smarter video safety tools, and integrated data systems. Discover practical ways fleets are reducing breakdowns, improving safety, and saving valuable staff time.

Read More →