When Jor'el Bolden was born, his feet were so huge that his mother struggled to find him baby shoes. As a result, the family found a single size 23 shoe on eBay that he currently wears. However, the shoes have become too tight, making it challenging for him to engage in activities. According to his mother, locating shoes for the 6-foot-5, 380-pound teenager is a significant issue. She expressed the family’s luck in finding their current pair, which has become too small for him, necessitating a larger size. The teenager longs to wear popular shoe brands like Jordans, Air Force Ones, and Nikes, but his size prevents him from doing so. His mother shared an incident where he had to cancel plans to watch a movie due to the discomfort caused by his shoes. She remarked that he often experiences pain while walking and engaging in activities, a struggle that began since his birth. Bolden, who was born weighing 7 pounds, 14 ounces and measuring 21 inches, faced difficulty finding baby shoes to fit his large feet.
During his childhood, obtaining shoes was effortless as he could use hand-me-downs from his cousin. This changed when he turned 11, and finding appropriate footwear became a challenge. Despite his size, as a teenager, he wore a men’s size 10 or 11. Neal, a single mother, initiated a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for additional shoes. The family has managed to raise nearly $10,000, which she described as a blessing to witness the community’s support. Apart from his shoe struggles, Jor’el enjoys creating video games and art while expressing interest in activities such as boxing. After reaching out to the family, Titus Ozell Golden, the owner of a local shoe manufacturing and polishing business, offered to custom-make shoes for the teenager. By measuring his feet, Golden aims to provide shoes that fit, offering hope for increased comfort and mobility. Bolden’s situation reflects a pattern observed in other individuals requiring size 23 shoes, as evidenced by the assistance received by a previous teenager in a similar predicament, facilitated by Shaquille O’Neal and various shoe companies. A family’s search for suitable shoes garnered attention, leading to support from O’Neal, Under Armor, and Puma. Ultimately, Under Armor provided custom-made shoes, granting the teenager an improved experience and opportunities to engage in physical activities.
The challenges faced by individuals in need of size 23 shoes depict a recurring difficulty in finding suitable footwear, underscoring the significance of tailored solutions and support from the community and companies.
