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Muscular Dystrophy Association and Magic Wheelchair to Reveal 11-Year-Old Dash’s Dream Wheelchair Costume at the Minnesota Fire Museum & Kickoff Minneapolis Local 82 Fill the Boot Events
Halloween-inspired and Star Wars themed reveal celebrates advocacy, creativity and the longstanding partnership between the Muscular Dystrophy Association and Minneapolis Local 82 Fire Fighters
Event kicks off Minneapolis Local 82 Fill the Boot fundraising, one of the largest fundraisers in the country, October 7-9.
MINNEAPOLIS, Monday, September 21, 2026 – The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), Magic Wheelchair and the Minneapolis Fire Fighters Local 82 will come together on Sunday, October 4, for the reveal from a galaxy far, far away of an epic Star Wars themed dream wheelchair costume created especially for 11-year-old Dash, who lives with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). MDA is also celebrating the recent FDA approval of Isembyld (apitegromab-mstn), the first and only muscle-targeted therapy for SMA, marking a new milestone in SMA treatment. Watch Dash in the video here.
Dash, who lives in a suburb of Minneapolis and has attended MDA Summer Camp, and receives care at the MDA Care Center at Gillette Children’s Hospital, was selected to receive the custom costume through the MDA x Magic Wheelchair Halloween sweepstakes on Instagram in 2025. The reveal will bring together Dash and his family, fire fighters, MDA leaders, Magic Wheelchair builders and community partners for a celebration of creativity, inclusion and the power of community. Christine Getman, Executive Director of Magic Wheelchair will also share her story living with SMA and her first engagement with the MDA community through the Fill the Boot fundraising program. To date, the IAFF Fill the Boot events have raised over $720 million for MDA, leading to over 30 FDA approved treatments for the neuromuscular community MDA serves through the funding of research, care, and advocacy.
The event is also the kickoff of Minneapolis Fire Fighters Local 82 Fill the Boot fundraising events throughout the city from Wednesday, October 7 through Friday, October 9 across the city of Minneapolis from 3:00pm to 6:00pm. Donations may also be made online here.
WHEN: Sunday, October 4, 2026
- Press interview opportunities: 10:45 a.m. CT
- Event: 11 a.m.–1 p.m. CT
WHERE: Minnesota Fire Fighters Museum, 664 22nd Ave. NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
WHAT/WHO:
Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), Magic Wheelchair and IAFF Minnesota Fire Fighters will host the reveal of Dash’s custom dream themed wheelchair costume. The costume, designed and built by Magic Wheelchair in partnership with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, will feature special details celebrating Dash’s personality and his connections to MDA and the fire fighter community. The event will also highlight the longstanding partnership between MDA and IAFF and the impact of the Fill the Boot campaign, which will launch local fundraising efforts October 7–9. Dash enjoys power wheelchair soccer, video games, attending MDA Summer Camp, volunteering with fire fighters for Fill the Boot fundraising, and will be joined by his parents, Amanda and Eric, and sisters Arrietty and Clover.
WHO:
- Dash, 11-year-old MDA x Magic Wheelchair costume recipient
- Amanda and Eric, Dash’s parents
- Elizabeth Nelson, Fire Fighter Partnerships, Muscular Dystrophy Association
- Roger Lopez, MDA/IAFF National Coordinator
- Christine Getman, Executive Director, Magic Wheelchair
- Scottie Foertmeyer, Community Engagement, Magic Wheelchair
- Stefan Price, Lead Builder, Magic Wheelchair
- Dr. Reginald Freeman, Chief of the Minneapolis Fire Department
- Michael Graves, Captain, Minneapolis Fire Department / IAFF Local 82
VISUAL/B-ROLL OPPORTUNITIES:
- The dramatic reveal of Dash in his custom dream Star Wars themed costume
- Interviews with Dash and his family with Minneapolis fire fighters
- Interviews with MDA, Magic Wheelchair and IAFF leaders
- Magic Wheelchair builders explaining the costume’s adaptive features
- Fire trucks and fire fighters at the Minnesota Fire Fighters Museum
- Family and community group photos
- MDA and IAFF Local 82 partnership visuals highlighting the upcoming October 7–9 Fill the Boot campaign kickoff
Media interested in attending should contact MDA to arrange interviews and access.
Media contact: press@mdausa.org
MDA is grateful for the support of this collaboration with Magic Wheelchair, from leading longtime partners including the International Association of Fire Fighters, CITGO Petroleum Corporation, National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), Burn Boot Camp, Bionews, and more.
About Magic Wheelchair
Magic Wheelchair is a nonprofit organization that builds epic costumes for kids and young adults in wheelchairs – at no cost to families. Our mission is to bring communities together to promote inclusion and self-expression for people with disabilities by transforming their wheelchairs into magic. To date, Magic Wheelchair has served nearly 300 families by supporting builders, makers, and students nationwide to create unforgettable moments and epic inclusion. Learn more or get involved, at magicwheelchair.org.
About Muscular Dystrophy Association
Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) has been at the center of progress for people living with muscular dystrophy, ALS, and over 300 other neuromuscular conditions for over 75 years. We unite researchers, clinicians, advocates, and families to speed the pace of discovery, improve access to expert care, and ensure inclusion in every aspect of life. Our mission is simple: give the people we serve the tools and opportunities to live longer, more independent lives. To learn more visit mda.org. Follow MDA on social media on Instagram, Facebook, X, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
About IAFF Local 82 and Minnesota Professional Fire Fighters Association
Minneapolis Professional Fire Fighters Local 82 is affiliated with the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and represents professional fire fighters serving the Minneapolis community. Local 82 is part of the Minnesota Professional Fire Fighters Association (MPFF), a nonprofit organization representing the interests of more than 2,000 professional fire fighters across Minnesota. Together, Minnesota’s professional fire fighters advocate for their members and serve their communities through education, training, advocacy and partnerships that make Minnesota safer. Through their longstanding partnership with the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Fill the Boot campaign, IAFF Local 82 and fire fighters across Minnesota help raise critical funds and awareness for people living with neuromuscular diseases.
About IAFF and MDA
For over 72 years, the International Association of Fire Fighters and MDA have partnered through the Fill the Boot campaign to support people and families living with neuromuscular diseases. Fire fighters across the country continue to raise critical funds and awareness in their communities while helping advance MDA’s mission.
About the International Association of Fire Fighters
The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) represents more than 360,000 professional fire fighters and paramedics across the United States and Canada. Since 1954, IAFF members have partnered with the Muscular Dystrophy Association through Fill the Boot, raising more than $720 million to accelerate research, advance care, and support families living with neuromuscular diseases.
