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It's not unusual to encounter men with large feet, a trait often associated
with the general taller stature of men compared to women. Meeting someone
with a shoe size of 13 or larger is relatively common. However, the notion
of a size 23 shoe may sound astounding, but it is a reality for 14-year-old
Eric Kilburn Jr. from Goodrich, Michigan. His mother, Rebecca, embarked on a
global quest to find shoes that could accommodate her son's extraordinary
foot size, demonstrating a mother's unwavering commitment to her
child.
Standing at an impressive height of 6 feet and 10 inches at the tender age
of 14, Eric's potential for further foot growth is not to be underestimated.
Despite lacking internal health issues, he has undergone numerous painful
procedures to address in-grown toenails, resulting in the permanent removal
of the nails on his two largest toes.
The challenge faced by Rebecca and her family in finding affordable shoes
that fit Eric's unique foot size is considerable. They explored
international options, even reaching out to shoe stores overseas, including
one in Italy. While an orthopedic specialist proposed custom-made shoes, the
exorbitant cost of $1,500 per pair proved to be a daunting hurdle.
At one point, Eric had to endure wearing Crocs for two years due to the
scarcity of suitable footwear. A family friend's discovery of a pair of size
22 sneakers prompted Rebecca to purchase six additional pairs at a
discounted rate of $25 each. Unfortunately, all of them eventually became
too small for Eric, underscoring the ongoing struggle to meet his
exceptional footwear needs.
Faced with the unavailability of suitable footwear from major brands like
Nike, Reebok, Adidas, Under Armour, and Red Wing Shoes, Rebecca reached out
in vain, encountering disbelief and laughter as they all echoed, "We don't
make that size."
In a positive turn of events in March 2023, a family friend initiated a
GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for purchasing everyday shoes for Eric, who
had not worn them in years. The campaign has successfully amassed over
$23,000 as of March 29, 2023.
The Kilburns received notable responses from various shoe brands, including
Under Armour, which not only pledged to visit Michigan to scan Eric's feet
for cleats and shoes but also expressed a commitment to growing alongside
him. Brands like Puma and CAT offered to create shoes and boots,
respectively. City Slicker Shoes expressed their intent to craft Mauri shoes
for Eric, while Pingree Detroit disclosed plans for 3D-printed
footwear.
Kara Pattison from GoFundMe remarked, "The success of this fundraiser is
well beyond what was ever expected."
Rebecca expressed deep gratitude for the overwhelming support,
acknowledging that the experience has been unprecedented for their
family.
As Eric aspires to secure the title of the teenager with the largest feet
and hands in the Guinness World Book of Records, he believes his chances are
substantial. Beyond the pursuit of a record-breaking title, Rebecca hopes to
raise awareness among shoemakers, emphasizing that individuals like Eric
should have access to affordable footwear without concerns.
"It's a dream for him to have shoes, boots, and cleats," Rebecca
emphasized, highlighting the broader significance of their efforts.
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