Rebecca Kilburn has spent years searching for shoes to fit her son, Eric Kilburn, Jr. She and her husband, Eric Kilburn, Sr., are both well over 6 feet tall, and their two sons are following in their large-footed steps. Their 14-year-old son Eric Jr. is already 6 foot, 10 inches, and doctors say he’s still growing. Unlike other very tall people, Eric doesn’t have an endocrine (内分泌的) disorder. He’s just tall! The teen has gotten used to people staring at him, and even jokes about carrying a card with answers to frequently-asked questions. For instance, no, he doesn’t play basketball, but yes, he does play football. 

Unfortunately, there’s a downside to being able to reach everything on every top shelf ever. At a size 23, Eric’s feet are so large, and it’s nearly impossible to find shoes that fit him. Rebecca has called every shoe manufacturer under the sun, and none would accommodate her son. With no winter boots or sneakers to wear, Eric has suffered from painful foot trouble that required medical treatment six times in the past few years. He even suffered a sports injury because he doesn’t have appropriate shoes to wear while playing football.

Right now, the high school freshman is wearing a pair of size 22 Nikes that a family friend found at an outlet store. The shoes had been made for a professional basketball player who didn’t want them, so they ended up at the outlet. Rebecca rushed to the store to buy all six pairs of the size 22. But a few years later, none of those size 22s fit anymore, and Rebecca has had no luck finding any other shoes that come close to that size. 

In desperation, Rebecca spoke with a reporter for a local publication. When the story was published, the Kilburns were flooded with sympathy and support from both near and far. A GoFundMe supporting Eric Jr.’s shoe search has now exceeded $23,000. A representative from Under Armour visited the family and scanned Eric Jr’s feet, so it won’t be long before he’s able to spread those toes out and get the support and comfort he needs!