HOT WHEELS

Story By Tammy Marashlian
Signal Staff Writer

Twenty-two-year-old Robbie Argote-Carrillo and his mom Stacee Carrillo embrace outside their Canyon Country home with his new custom made wheelchair designed by Steve Flanagan of the television show “Paint Misbehavin’.” Francisca Rivas (The Signal)

Up until last month, 22-year-old Robbie Argote-Carrillo used an old, basic wheelchair that wasn’t too comfortable.

But with help from artist Steve Flanagan from the new TLC television show “Paint Misbehavin’“, that “thrashed” wheelchair is no more.

The Canyon Country resident, who has cerebral palsy, now gets around in a personalized, red wheelchair with flame designs.

The family has seen a change in Robbie since the gift of the wheelchair.

“He sits up better in this one,” said Stacee Carrillo, Robbie’s mom.

Robbie proudly agreed.

“It’s comfortable,” he said.

Flanagan’s original wheelchair to Argote-Carrillo, presented in May, featured heat-reactive paint that changed from red to pink.

A second wheelchair was created only with the color red and flames, after Argote-Carrillo didn’t like the pink.

The wheelchair was the fourth for Argote-Carrillo, who began using one during his childhood.

As an added bonus, TLC camera crews followed Argote-Carrillo and his family for a segment on the show that debuted last week.

Carrillo recalled the filming, which she said gave her son a chance to shine in the spotlight.

“He was pretty excited about it,” she said.

Carrillo was especially pleased that the show spotlighted the needs of people with disabilities.

Throughout the show, cameras followed Robbie and his family from Smart & Final grocery store in Newhall to their Canyon Country home.

Argote-Carrillo worked at Smart & Final for six months while he was a student at Transitional Learning Charter, a William S. Hart Union High School District school that teaches disabled adults life skills.

Argote-Carrillo, who attended Valencia High School before starting at the charter school, was able to take part in community-based instruction. Attending the charter school allowed Argote-Carrillo to become more independent as he learned daily activities, like how to take the bus, Carrillo said.

Earlier this month, Argote-Carrillo graduated from Transitional Learning Charter after two years at the school.

“It was a great program,” she said.

For more on Robbie and Paint Misbehavin Show visit www.hardlifestyle.com

TLC’s Paint Misbehavin’ Introduction

TLC’s New Hit Show Paint Misbehavin (Steve Flanagan – The Ringleader)

Steve Flanagan and cast debuted Thursday night June 25th on TLC and TLC-HD with Paint Misbehavin. Paint Misbehavin’ follows Steve Flanagan and his crew of merry “paintsters” as they set out to show the world a whole new way to look at paint. We guarantee you’ll never look at paint quite the same way again. These guys have paints that change from heat, UV and more. They specialize in chrome paint and are even delving into the world of cutting edge tattoo inks. Look for Steve Flanagan and crew to take the paint world to new levels and let’s hope TLC is along to catch it all.

TLC’s Paint Misbehavin color changing cop car

The premiere episode featured Steve and cast as they set out to create the cop car of the future combining both the Heatwave Paint (temperature causes color to change) and radiant heaters in the doors to make the door switch from all black to black and white and reveal the cleverly designed HARDWAY PATROL LOGO. This Escalade is truly “cutting-edge” and could change the face of law enforcement with its total cloaking ability, able to switch from an unmarked surveillance unit to a completely marked black and white pursuit truck.

TLC’s Paint Misbehavin – Steve puts the Inferno fireproof paint to the test

The initial episode of Paint Misbehavin also featured the guys building up a demonstration wall and painting it with the fireproof paint Inferno. We then see Steve Flanagan with flamethrower in hand giving the fireproof paint the ultimate test. As the team continues to assault the wall Steve takes a few minutes to go behind the wall and experience fire protection first hand, ultimately “standing behind” this incredible paint LITERALLY!

TLC’s Paint Misbehavin – Steve and the guys build Robbie a HOT brand new wheelchair

Rest assured this show is not all tattoos and flamethrowers we also see a great “heartfelt” moment as Steve and the guys hook up a very special kid named Robbie who suffers from Cerebral Palsy and was stuck in what was a less than appealing completely dilapidated chair. Steve promises Robbie a HOT brand new chair designed after his favorite movies including The Fast and The Furious. Steve and Sam set in to making a real hot chair for Robbie and the Paint Misbehavin crew plan to present it to Robbie just in time for his upcoming graduation. It’s great to see the joy that the simplest of tasks can provide to somebody’s life. This team spends a lot of time coming up with REALLY big stunts but this heart touching moment seemed just as “grand” especially to Robbie and his friends and family who all turned out to see Robbie get presented with his spectacular chair.

See all this and more on TLC and TLC-HD’s Paint Misbehavin’. Find out more about Steve Flanagan and find complete show coverage at www.HardLifeStyle.com. What are you waiting for get on over there and sign up now for the email list to receive future updates as soon as they are announced.