When Jor’el Bolden entered the world, his mother faced a unique challenge – his feet were so large that finding baby shoes to fit him was a struggle. Consequently, during the initial months of his life, he could only wear socks, as shared by his mother, Tamika Neal. Now at 16 years old, Jor’el requires a size 23 wide shoe, a size that is not readily available in stores. His family managed to find a single pair on eBay, but unfortunately, they have become too snug, hindering his ability to enjoy outdoor activities comfortably.
Securing footwear for this towering 6-foot-5, 380-pound teenager is no easy feat, according to his mother. Despite currently making do with size 22 shoes, they are becoming uncomfortably tight, prompting the need for an even larger size. The family remains hopeful in their search for suitable footwear solutions.
In an interesting turn of events, basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal reached out to offer support. Jor’el expressed his desire to sport popular brands like Jordans and Nikes, but the limited availability of such sizes poses a significant obstacle. His ongoing struggle to find suitable shoes has significantly impacted his daily life, even preventing simple activities like going to the movies with his cousin due to the discomfort caused by ill-fitting footwear.
Jor’el’s shoe predicament dates back to his birth, where his 21-inch, 7-pound, 14-ounce frame already boasted remarkably large feet. Over the years, finding shoes became somewhat easier as he could inherit pairs from his cousin. However, the situation took a turn when he outgrew these sources of hand-me-downs and faced challenges in finding appropriate footwear as a preteen.
Despite the hurdles, Jor’el’s mother, Tamika Neal, remains determined to provide for her children. She initiated a fundraising campaign to address her son’s footwear needs, garnering significant support from the community. The family’s efforts have raised close to $10,000, a heartwarming display of solidarity during a challenging time.
Looking ahead, Jor’el’s prospects seem promising as local business owner Titus Ozell Golden has extended a helping hand. Golden, known for crafting custom shoes and cleats, aims to create footwear tailored to Jor’el’s unique requirements. This collaboration offers hope for a brighter future where Jor’el can pursue his interests, such as drawing video game characters and potentially exploring sports like wrestling and boxing.
Jor’el’s story resonates with that of another teenager, Eric Kilburn Jr., who faced a similar struggle with size 23 feet. Drawing parallels to Eric’s journey, where support from Shaquille O’Neal and prominent shoe companies alleviated his footwear woes, Jor’el’s experience highlights the power of community and compassion in overcoming challenges related to specialized needs.