Introduction
We all have that one pair of shoes we can’t live without. Whether they’re your favorite pair or a unique pair you’ve had for years, they’re probably the most comfortable shoes you own and make you feel like yourself. Well, I’m here to tell you that there are TBI survivors in our community who don’t have access to their favorite pairs of shoes and need to start the process all over. That’s why we created the Shoe Application!
The Shoe Application
- Please fill out the application by visiting our website, smileuwokeup.org
- Email your completed application to smileuwokeup@gmail.com
- We would contact you by the end of the month to notify you if you were selected for the TBI shoe drawing.
- We grant 2-TBI-ers a pair of shoes for the month to help with the following stages of movement:
- Stage 1: The first week after a mild traumatic brain injury can be characterized by balance and coordination issues as well as fatigue, dizziness, or lightheadedness. One may have trouble generally walking because even simple tasks like walking up stairs require more concentration and effort than usual. This stage is also known as “Post Concussive Syndrome,” where there are physical symptoms but no evidence of an actual concussion (such as loss of consciousness). In this case, we recommend wearing supportive shoes with good arch support that allow room for swelling to reduce pressure on your foot/ankle area from the additional weight from swollen tissue/joints, etc…
- Stage 2: After two weeks post-injury has passed, walking should become easier but still require concentration due to lingering vestibular system instability (i.e., balance problems), which results from head trauma that causes inner ear damage along with other neurological effects such as vertigo (spinning sensation) or nausea upon standing up too quickly after sitting down for long periods at work, etc… If possible, try wearing athletic shoes during this stage instead since they provide more support, especially over concrete surfaces which cause most, falls due to uneven ground surfaces such as sidewalks outside homes where sidewalks are not maintained regularly or never repaired between bumps caused by weathering snow melt water runoff sand particles, etc…
How to apply for new shoes
To apply for new shoes, visit our website. You can fill out an application for a pair of shoes there.
Please be sure you meet the application requirements before submitting. We are working with Runners Roost of Fort Collins, who will assist us in helping to find the right shoe for each individual that applies.
The pre-answered questions on the application will give the RR store a general idea of your foot type and what shoes may be more compatible with your needs.
We help those with TBI find their movement through shoe donations. Learn how to get shoes here.
We help those with TBI find their movement through shoe donations. Learn how to get shoes here.
- Our SMILE #UWokeUp Northern Colorado and surrounding areas program provides free athletic footwear and sports equipment to individuals recovering from TBI, spinal cord injury, amputation, and stroke. Please note that we cannot accept slip-on shoes due to their high potential for slipping off the foot during use.
- If you or someone you know needs new athletic shoes or footwear due to an injury sustained in a car accident, contact us for more information about how we can help!
Conclusion
Thank you for reading this blog and learning more about how the SMILE #UWokeUp shoe works. If you are interested in applying for new shoes, please click here.