An O&P professional brings her anatomical expertise to a larger-than-life Halloween tradition.
When Nadia Sullivan’s husband, Nick, suggested turning their two-and-a-half-story Victorian home in Loveland, Colorado, into a giant pipe organ for Halloween, she had just one condition: They’d need a 20-foot skeleton to play it.
What began as a whimsical idea during an evening dog walk in November of 2022 has become a beloved neighborhood attraction, complete with a towering wooden skeleton named Bonzart, a 40-foot spider on drums, and a bat playing an eight-foot string bass.
And behind the bones? A woman who knows a thing or two about anatomy.
Sullivan, a product specialist for Fillauer, drew on her background in orthotics and prosthetics (O&P) to design Bonzart with anatomically accurate proportions. She even created a spreadsheet to calculate the measurements before spending a month constructing him from wood. Meanwhile, Nick built the organ using cardboard concrete forms, and their child programmed the lights and music that bring the entire band to life.
But Sullivan’s connection to O&P goes well beyond her professional expertise.
“Like many in O&P, I got into the industry after becoming an amputee. I was hit by a car while riding my bike and eventually underwent a middle ray amputation of my dominant hand.”
She returned to school to become a prosthetist, but lasting damage to her hand prevented her from pursuing clinical work. Today, she travels throughout the western United States helping clinicians learn about new prosthetic and orthotic technologies.
“As a Product Specialist, I can still help fellow amputees, but other people can be the hands.”
Her favorite part of the job is attending mobility events where people can try prosthetic feet and hands and explore new possibilities.
Back in Loveland, Bonzart has developed a following of his own. What was originally intended as a Halloween-to-New Year’s display now stays up through Easter, changing costumes for different holidays. Neighbors use the giant skeleton as a landmark, and visitors stop for photos.
This year, Sullivan and her family were greeted by cheers from passing cars as they assembled the display. But one young fan may have delivered the ultimate compliment.
“The most heartwarming comment was a mom who posted to Bonzart’s Facebook page that her four-year-old wanted a Bonzart themed birthday party!”
