He Didn’t Expect His Letter To Even Get A Reply, But Nike Shocked Him With The Incredible Gift They Made.

Thanks to an open letter from a teen with cerebral palsy, Nike is introducing sneakers designed specifically for people with disabilities.

Matthew Walzer was born with Cerebral Palsy – a muscular condition that inhibits flexibility. The 16-year-old was looking forward to college but was concerned about his independence when it came time to leave home.

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“At 16 years old, I am able to completely dress myself, but my parents still have to tie my shoes. As a teenager who is striving to become totally self-sufficient, I find this extremely frustrating, and at times, embarrassing,”Walzer wrote. “My dream is to go to the college of my choice without having to worry about someone coming to tie my shoes everyday.â€

When Matthew Walzer wrote this open letter to Nike, he didn’t expect anything.  At most, he though a polite reply would ensue, but he never dreamed they’d respond like this!

In response to his plea, Nike developed a line of athletic shoes for people just like Matthew who crave independence but are functionally hindered.  The shoe completely opens up from the back – unlike anything on the market.  This enables ease of entry and exit, with a simple Velcro system for closing and support.

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For Walzer, the moment he received his shoes was a huge relief.

“I knew what I was doing was, in football terms, ‘a Hail Mary,’ and to be quite honest I had very low expectations. I was expecting a very polite letter back in recognition of my request,”Walzer, who is now a sophomore at Florida Gulf Coast University, said in the Nike posting. “There are not enough ‘thank yous’ in the world to express my undying gratitude.â€

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Now Walzer is able to enjoy the shoes, be independent, and look extremely cool in the process.  Props to Nike for their incredibly kind gesture.  We can’t wait to see what they come out with next.

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