In Independence, Missouri, a teenager named Jor’el Bolden has been struggling to find shoes that fit him due to the size of his feet. Born with abnormally large feet, his mother, Tamika Neal, has faced a constant challenge in finding footwear that accommodates his size. Now 16 years old, Jor’el wears a size 23 wide shoe, and his family has resorted to purchasing a lone pair of shoes they found on eBay. However, these shoes have become tight and uncomfortable, making it difficult for Jor’el to engage in activities that other teenagers his age enjoy.
His mother, Tamika Neal, made it known that finding shoes for her son has been a difficult task, especially since the pair they currently have is causing discomfort. Despite their efforts, Jor’el’s inability to wear popular shoe brands like Jordans, Air Force Ones, and Nikes has made his struggle even more challenging. As a result, the teenager often finds himself unable to participate in activities, such as going to the movies with his cousin, due to the pain caused by his ill-fitting shoes.
Tamika Neal recalls the initial struggle she faced in finding shoes for Jor’el when he was a baby, as his abnormally large feet left them unable to find shoes that fit properly. While it became slightly easier as he grew older and received hand-me-downs from his cousin, the challenge resurfaced when he hit a preteen growth spurt, leaving them searching for appropriate sizes once again.
To provide her son with much-needed shoes, Tamika Neal started a GoFundMe campaign, which has raised nearly $10,000 as of Friday morning. She expressed gratitude for the support and aid they have received, highlighting the significant impact it has had on their family during this challenging time. Despite the difficulties with finding the right shoes, Jor’el also has a passion for drawing video game and cartoon characters, and he has expressed interest in taking up wrestling and boxing after connecting with a local business owner named Titus Ozell Golden.
This isn’t the first instance of a teenager with size 23 feet struggling to find suitable shoes. In a similar case, a Michigan teen with the same struggle received assistance from Shaquille O’Neal and various shoe companies. The impact of this aid was evident when Under Armour custom-made several pairs of shoes and cleats for the Michigan teen, providing him with much-needed relief from his footwear challenges. Such cases highlight the importance of recognizing and addressing the unique needs of individuals with uncommon physical characteristics.