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Inspiration for your Feet
Tuesday October 12th, 2010
Ever put yourself in the shoes of a child with a serious illness?
Well, thanks to Nike’s Doernbecher Freestyle Project, their shoes look pretty good. Each year Nike picks six brave young patients from Oregon Health and Science University’s Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, and teams them up with creative experts at Nike so they can design their own shoes. These shoes are later sold in retail stores, with the proceeds going to the hospital.
Tony Signorelli, age 11, with his Nike design helpers Emily Schaefer and Tinker Hatfield.
Our Portland-based photographer Daniel Root has been working with Nike to photograph these creative kids. “Originally, I charged them enough to cover my major expenses, but after the first year, I told them that all the work would be pro bono,” Daniel writes on his blog. “That is how incredible and inspiring this program is.”
Judging from Daniel’s pictures, it’s hard to imagine a more exciting process for a young person with ideas. Take a look at this sketch by Shelby Lee:
And here’s the final product:
Thanks to Daniel, and to the kids of the Doernbecher hospital, for these exciting and inspirational designs.
Marykate Hughes, age 17, with Nike designer Fanny Ho.
-Asad
