‘Just Do It.’
It’s one of the world’s most iconic slogans, but it’s not always so simple. Until now.
Nike has developed a shoe specifically for customers with limited physical capabilities. And it all came about because of one letter.
Matthew Walzer has cerebral palsy. When he was 16-years-old and grappling to reconcile his physicality with his desire to to be independent, he wrote to one of the biggest corporations in the world- Nike.
Nike is changing the sneaker game again with Flyease, the first sneaker made for the disabled http://t.co/XnPxcOx0Dq pic.twitter.com/Pq9R5LrzZx
— HuffPost Sports (@HuffPostSports) July 13, 2015
News.com.au reports, in 2012, Walzer wrote to the sporting goods company:
“Out of all the challenges I have overcome in my life, there is one that I am still trying to master, tying my shoes. Cerebral palsy stiffens the muscles in the body. As a result I have flexibility in only one of my hands which makes it impossible for me to tie my shoes. My dream is to go to the college of my choice without having to worry about someone coming to tie my shoes everyday.”
Walzer had long been a fan of the brand, preferring the ‘Lunar Hyper Gamer’ and ‘LeBron Zoom Soldier 6s’ styles, as their high-tops provided the ankle support he needed in order to walk. As much as he liked the shoes, they weren’t providing him with the independence he craves. “At 16 years old, I am able to completely dress myself, but my parents still have to tie my shoes,” he said. “As a teenager who is striving to become totally self-sufficient, I find this extremely frustrating, and at times, embarrassing.”