Cosplay 911: Nurse Patchit Origin Story
Picture it. October 2016. New York City.
Memories paint that particular Comic Con as negative. It was the first time attending the con without my best friend and I somehow lost my 4 day pass just 2 hours into opening. [Side bar: To this day, I still don't understand why NYCC couldn't have just deactivated the original pass and let me have a new one rather than me coughing up an additional $200 but I digress…]
The silver lining was I met an awesome cosplayer while waiting in line for the show floor to open. She had flown from Australia and had diligently saved up so she could enjoy New York with her friends. I didn't know who she was cosplaying but the handmade bobble-like details and bodysuit were beautiful. In the mad rush of opening, someone accidentally pushed her over causing some parts of her cosplay to rip and break. I’ll never forget her expression. She was crushed. So was I. That heartbreaking event left quite an impression on me. I remember thinking, "Why didn't I bring my needle and thread with me? I always have a small kit wherever I go. I could have at the very least stitched her up."
Even months after Con, my mind kept going back to the memory. One day while I was scrolling through photos from various cons, I stumbled on a picture of a cosplay repair nurse in San Diego. Down the rabbit hole I went, researching the selfless men and women of cosplay repair, who would bring/smuggle their own tools and supplies to help their fellow con-goers. More often than not, these wonderful humans were just humble volunteers and were not sponsored or funded by the cons.
I decided then and there that I would also join the ranks. With the help of my best friend, we researched and brainstormed all the necessary tools and items that would be wonderful to have in my repair kit box.
And in October of 2017, Nurse Patchit reported for duty.
As a costume designer, I know how much effort goes into making costumes/cosplay. All the cosplayers who put so much effort, time, and money into their cosplay deserve to have someone on the sidelines at the ready when accidents happen. I have met so many new friends and helped so many people through Cosplay 911.
I hope I get to meet that Australian cosplayer again some day. To thank her for inspiring me.
