How Billy Footwear helps me get out and about!

By Tamsin Colley PLY

Hi, it's Tamsin here - Australian Paralympic athlete and university student. As much as I love athletics, the multiple shoe changes a day that comes with it can get quite tiring, especially if you are like me and struggle with shoelaces! 

Due to my Ataxic Cerebral Palsy, my hand tremors make it extremely difficult for me to do up shoelaces. I am always on the lookout for new adaptations that make doing everyday tasks such as putting on shoes easier. Did you know that the average person spends at least two weeks of their lives tying shoelaces? For a person with a disability, this figure could easily be tripled. 

Since I started buying Billy Shoes from EveryHuman, which launched about two and a half years ago, I have probably saved over 20 hours tying shoelaces. That frees up a lot more time to do what I love in life, like athletics and even watching Netflix!

When I first found Billy Shoes from EveryHuman, I bought a black pair that could be disguised as school shoes, fitted with my ankle braces and could save me the hassle of tying my shoelaces every day for school! Since finishing school, I am no longer limited to wearing only black pairs of shoes (just as well as I had worn my old pair out!). They also have a zipper opening, which fits my orthotics perfectly! This is why I was so excited to get the chance to try a pair of shoes from the latest range that EveryHuman stocks, the new Billy Footwear "Sneaker II". 

I have a blue pair of these shoes, and absolutely love this colour! Since I have to wear black ankle braces every day, they are not too much of a stark contrast but add that bit of extra colour to my day. The insoles are interchangeable - which is so handy! I personally wear these shoes with my own orthotics, but the insole that comes with the shoes is also super comfy by itself! The canvas texture of the shoes make them lightweight and low-maintenance, which is why Billy shoes are my go-to shoes - I can simply zip them up to be ready to go without holding my family up when we're about to leave the house tying up my shoelaces! 

Tamsin is wearing the Sneaker II (Women) - Beach Blue

All image credits: (Tamsin Colley, 2022)

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