Viral Costume Brings Taylor Swift Fan to Eras Tour in a BraunAbility Van

CUSTOMER STORY

Viral Costume Brings Taylor Swift Fan to Eras Tour in a BraunAbility Van

“Getting a wheelchair accessible vehicle really changed the game for us.”

11-year-old Henry Hinson first caught international attention when he dressed up as one of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour dancers for Halloween. He planned the costume a year in advance after seeing the Eras Tour Movie. The dancers' iconic fan costumes, which the singer hid beneath each night before the opening song, "Miss Americana," created an ethereal visual show, complemented by Swift's vocals.

Henry decided he would dress up as an Eras Tour dancer for Halloween. His mom, Erin, crafted the costume using pool noodles and fabric to create a large fan and a hazmat suit, which she spray-painted to match the dancers' pastel costumes. Henry wore the costume for Halloween and to the Eras Tour. After receiving tickets to the concert, the Hinsons took a road trip in their BraunAbility Chrysler Pacifica from Louisville, Kentucky, to Indianapolis for one of the final shows of the Eras Tour.

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Erin Hinson, from Kentucky

Even just removing the barrier of having to transfer Henry from one seat to another seat, that's a victory for us because he can now just wheel into the van.

Erin Hinson, from Kentucky

It gives you the freedom and the ability to move about in your daily lives that a typical car maybe doesn't afford the opportunity to do.

Erin Hinson, from Kentucky

The Hinsons' BraunAbility vehicles

Before having an accessible vehicle, the Hinsons had to lift their son in and out of the family car. Hinson said, "Henry would have to be transferred from his power wheelchair. He would have to take his manual wheelchair. Henry has a lot of trouble with his shoulders when he uses a manual chair. He feels more comfortable, confident and independent in his power wheelchair, but we couldn't get that into our regular vehicle," she said.

Hinson said getting around before having a wheelchair accessible vehicle was complicated.

"As he was getting older, it was getting harder and not as safe to transfer him from his wheelchair to the car. Getting a wheelchair accessible vehicle really changed the game for us because we can get Henry safely to all the things he wants to participate in," she said.

Initially, the Hinsons selected a BraunAbility RAM ProMaster with a side-entry lift, a vehicle typically preferred for commercial business use. When they needed a smaller vehicle for everyday use, they chose the BraunAbility Chrysler Pacifica. The vehicle features a side-entry infloor power ramp, allowing Henry to roll in and out independently, as well as a wheelchair securement system, which allows him to enjoy car rides comfortably from his wheelchair.

"I think about what our family goes through on a daily basis. To remove any barriers is a win. Even just removing the barrier of having to transfer Henry from one seat to another seat, that's a victory for us because he can now just wheel into the van. We clip him in and he's safe, and that offers peace of mind," Hinson said.

The Getaway Car

The Eras Tour costume Hinson previously made for her son to wear on Halloween led to a memorable road trip in the family's BraunAbility vehicle: a drive from their hometown in Louisville, Kentucky, to Indianapolis to see one of Swift's last Eras Tour shows.

The outfit Hinson made was seen by millions on TikTok after she posted a video of her son playfully showing off the costume, which caught the attention of Swift's marketing team, Taylor Nation. Hinson received a message from the team, and soon the two made the two-hour road trip in their BraunAbility vehicle to see Swift live.

"Amazing," Hinson said when asked to describe the experience in one word.

Unsurprisingly, the Hinsons' car has two nicknames: "Patty Pacifica" — a name given because Henry is a fan of alliteration and to match the first letter of the vehicle's model — and "The Getaway Car," a reference to the popular song from Swift's "Reputation" album.

Getting a wheelchair accessible vehicle really changed the game for us because we can get Henry safely to all the things he wants to participate in.

- Erin Hinson

Traveling With Confidence

Outside of going to the concert, the Hinson family uses its vehicle for day-to-day activities, including going to church, doctor's appointments and Henry's cheer practices. The family has also taken the vehicle on a few vacations. They visit Cape San Blas, Florida, every year for spring break.

After driving BraunAbility vehicles over the last few years, the family has many more adventures to look forward to, as their vehicle provides a sense of freedom and independence.

When asked to share what she wants others who are considering purchasing a BraunAbility vehicle to know, she said, "Do it. The vehicle really is life-changing. It gives you the freedom and the ability to move about in your daily lives that a typical car maybe doesn't afford the opportunity to do."

The Hinson Family is supported by BraunAbility and their local dealer, Superior Van & Mobility in Louisville, KY. When you purchase a Mobility product from BraunAbility, you join a powerful community. 

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