Scream! - Zachary Linhares's Portfolio

Ashley Monroe applies face paint to Allen Fisher before his performance on Oct. 23, 2021, at FearFest Haunted House in Columbia, Mo. Fisher has Stage 4 liver cirrhosis and drove from Des Moines, Iowa, with his wife and four children to fulfill his bucket list item of performing in a haunted house.

Allen Fisher found out he had severe liver failure two years ago. By the time the doctors diagnosed him with liver cirrhosis, his condition had worsened to Stage 4. Following his diagnosis, Fisher, his wife Jessica, and their four children decided to complete his bucket list items and document it on TikTok. Fisher did not think after his diagnosis that he would make it to see if favorite holiday, Halloween. The haunted houses in his hometown of Des Monies, Iowa, were inaccessible to Fisher because of his condition. FearFest manager, Dana Green, saw the Fisher's TikTok videos and invited them to FearFest Columbia to check off one of his bucket list items, to perform in a Haunted House. FearFest is one of the few haunted houses in the United States that make sure their facilities are accessible for customers and employees. Halim Mavrakis is a first year performer at FearFest Columbia. At 24, Mavrakis was diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disorder, a condition that affects nerves in the arms and legs. Shortly after his diagnosis, Mavrakis began using a wheelchair. Mavrakis character "Wheels" sits in the corner of the Hawthorn State Asylum. The asylum's doctor tried to cure "Wheels" by putting him in an electric chair. "Wheels" is the first of many creepy character inside the haunted house. This photo essay shares the stories and Fisher and Mavrakis and how one haunted house in mid-Missouri is working to create an accessible environment for performers and attendees. This story was published by the Columbia Missourian on Oct. 27, 2021.

Allen Fisher, left, and Jessica Fisher pose for a TikTok video Oct. 23, 2021, at FearFest Haunted House in Columbia, Mo. After finding out that Allen Fisher had been diagnosed with Stage 4 liver cirrhosis, the two decided to fulfill the items on Allen’s bucket list and document it on TikTok. The haunted house features ramps, alternative paths and assistance when needed so attendees with disabilities can participate.

Jessica Fisher, left, and Allen Fisher perform inside FearFest Haunted House on Oct. 23, 2021, in Columbia, Mo. “We celebrate Halloween like it’s Christmas in this house,” Allen Fisher said.

The silhouette of a mannequin stands outside of the actors' dressing room Oct. 23, 2021, at FearFest Haunted House in Columbia, Mo. FearFest has been operating for 19 years in Columbia.

FearFest Operations Manager Ryan McClintic stands inside the Necropolis Haunted House on Oct. 23, 2021, at FearFest Haunted House in Columbia, Mo. McClintic has worked with FearFest in Columbia for 15 years and builds customized wheelchairs when he is not designing haunted houses.

Light illuminates the hand of a mannequin holding a knife inside Necropolis Haunted House on Oct. 23, 2021, at FearFest Haunted House in Columbia, Mo. FearFest features four different attractions including an asylum, the Necropolis, a mortuary and a haunted woods with clowns.

Halim Mavrakis receives the final touches of his face paint and plastic cockroaches before his performance at the asylum on Oct. 23, 2021, at FearFest Haunted House in Columbia, Mo. “Most of the time they think that I’m a mannequin, so I’ll do quick jumps to look at them, and then they’re like ‘oh did he move? Did he not?’ And then I’ll jump again, and then they’ll usually bolt,” Mavrakis said.

Halim Mavrakis jumps out at Vincent Gabriele, 14, who stands in front of James Fisher, 17, inside the asylum on Oct. 23, 2021, at FearFest Haunted House in Columbia, Mo. “Whenever they run the corner, they’re not expecting to see another person,” Mavrakis said. “So, it’s rather that they’ll jump whenever they see me, or they’ll jump because I’ll say something to them.” This is Mavrakis’ first year performing at the haunted house.