Gracious May’s Custom Shoes for AFO Braces
AFO stands for ankle-foot orthosis. If your child needs these braces, their sweet feet have probably had a lot of attention from doctors and physical therapists. It can be stressful for parents, too, but as a mom, you’re essential to making it a positive experience for your kiddo.
You diligently help your child use their braces day-in-and-day-out and are such an encouragement to him or her. Finding shoes that are both fashionable and easy to wear make the experience a little bit better.
But finding shoes that work is not easy.
Many moms express frustration trying to find shoes for their child that will fit over their AFOs. The shoe needs to open up wider and longer than most shoes are designed for in order to accommodate his or her brace (straps, hinges, etc). Sometimes you need two different sizes. Forget about finding something exceedingly cute!
When a mom of a special needs child asked us if we could design shoes for her daughter who wears AFOs, we were reminded of Isaiah’s words that the Lord provides “oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair” (cf. Isaiah 61:3).
We prayed our way through that first pair of shoes. And After a few years and hundreds more shoes, we started focusing on children’s shoes for AFO braces and launched shoesforAFOs.com.
Isaiah’s garment of praise idea took shape in us and became a very practical pair of shoes. Now we design and custom make cute, easy-to-put-on children’s shoes for use with their AFO braces. No longer compromise on cuteness or convenience just because orthotics are part of your daily life! Hooray!
We know you know the AFO acronym well, but we hope to give you and your little A Fresh Outlook.
How to find shoes that fit for AFOs
Finding shoes that will work perfectly with your child’s AFOs is not a simple task. You can sometimes get by removing insoles from shoes with particularly wide openings. But what about stylish options or shoes for different occasions? It’s a bit trickier than that.
One option is to find a support group or network for parents of children with AFOs. There are a few Facebook groups set up for this (just do a search). You might have some luck asking around for hand-me-downs (kids feet do grow quickly!).
But sometimes you want a shoe in just the right style or specifically made for your little’s unique feet (it’s not uncommon to need a pair of shoes in two different sizes).
We custom make each pair of shoes from the sole up. When you provide measurements for each foot along with any other details associated with his or her particular AFO braces, we make a specific pattern for each foot. Then we cut each shoe by hand from premium materials and made to the specifications in your order.
Following this process, the fit of each pair of shoes we make is guaranteed. That means, if the shoes you ordered from us are not comfortable or are a pain to fit around your child’s AFO braces, send them back and we’ll remake the shoes for FREE. We typically make the shoes approximately 1/4” wider and 1/2” longer than the measurements you provide for a little growing room (for example, if the brace is longer than your child’s foot). But you can let us know by choosing the “Make my shoes fit like a glove” option at checkout if you’d like to not have that extra room.
The materials we use are genuine suede and leather. That makes them 2-3x more durable than most children’s shoes. So you and us both want to get the fit right so your little has some sweet kicks for the long haul (well, until their feet grow).
All of our shoes are designed to fit over AFO braces as well as SMOs, KAFO, and DAFOs. We make them with genuine leather, rubber soles, and adjustable Velcro straps to accommodate wide or skinny ankles.
How to measure your child’s feet for Gracious May shoes for AFOs
In order to custom make shoes that will fit your child’s feet perfectly with their AFO braces on, we need to start with accurate measurements. Don’t worry, you can do it! But there are a few additional measurements that you may not be used to.
While your child is wearing his or her braces, take the following measurements with a sewing tape measure:
• Foot length – from heel to toe
• Foot width – across the widest part of the foot
• Calf circumference
• Ankle depth (only required for select styles) – side to side around ankle
Have each measurement ready when you place your order.
With measurements in hand, now it’s time to start exploring some of our very favorite styles of children’s shoes for AFO braces!
Girls shoes for AFO braces
We wanted our shoes for AFO Braces to be comfortable, vibrant and adorable – something your girl would feel special wearing.
This shoe has spunk to match your little girl. She’ll love wearing these shoes for special outings and playdates.
Classy and chic, this is a great everyday shoe for your girl. You’ll both love its durability and ease to put on and off over her AFOs.
These durable metallic cowhide shoes are perfect for a New Year’s party in metallic gold or silver. Or choose the red option and your little girl can have her own “Ruby Red Slippers” like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz.
These adorable flowery Mary Janes are perfect for Spring or even if your little girl has the distinct honor of serving as a flower girl in a wedding. They come in nine different styles and colors.
Kitties, foxes, and bunnies – oh my! These charactered Mary Janes make time in the stroller or car seat extra fun for your daughter as she looks down and sees cute little faces looking up from her toes.
Saddle up! These Western-style cowgirl boots are stylish and functional with a zipper that extends all the way to the sole (moms say they are super easy to put on a take off). How fun to provide your little cowgirl with the appropriate footwear when you visit the petting zoo or rodeo?
The original fringe boot for AFO braces! These are a bestseller and the first style we ever customized to fit over a children’s leg brace. If your daughter is looking for equal parts comfort and style, this boot has her covered.
Boy shoes for AFO braces
Rough and tumble, stylish and comfortable. AFO shoes for boys come in fewer styles but lots of options to fit his fancy without compromising durability and ease to put on and take off.
A classic sporty sneaker that fits over your boy’s AFOs (and SMO, KAFO, or DAFO braces). Easy to match with any outfit and come in 11 color options! Your little guy is sure to look suave and ready to play!
Never fear boy moms! We added navy blue and black options to our bestselling boot for your little guys. Many moms rave about how our shoes are more durable than other shoes for orthotics. Your son will definitely up his style with these fringe boots.
Ride-em, cowboy! Your little buckaroo will look so handsome and he’ll love feeling like a true wrangler-gentleman in these full-zippered cowboy boots for AFOs. Wear them to the rodeo or western-themed birthday party.
The Big Why behind ShoesforAFOs.com
We had been hand making shoes for over 10 years when the Lord orchestrated a couple of monumental (if subtle) moments in my life.
In 2014, I came across an article about a harness invented to help children with disabilities stand upright on their own and even take a few simple steps. With goosebumps wellin gup all over my body, I watched a video of these children delighting in their ability to walk. At that moment, I knew I wanted to contribute to making products that would serve children with special circumstances and needs.
About two years later, a mom had seen the Suede Moccasin Boots that we make at Gracious May and asked if they could be made to fit over her daughter’s AFO braces. It was such a busy season for our small shoe company, but I felt a huge desire to take on this custom order. I prayed my way through the process and this mom received the boots and they were a perfect fit for her daughter!
From that time forward we had a steady stream of custom orders from moms of special needs girls and boys across the country.
After three years of taking these custom orders privately, we launched ShoesforAFOs.com with the goal of becoming the world’s foremost provider of fashionable shoes for children and adults in orthotics.
No matter where this new opportunity leads, my team and I just want to praise the Lord for bringing us this far. It’s our prayer that these shoes will be a gift and blessing to and your little one. We truly hope the Lord is glorified through our product and honored in the way we serve you!
If you have made it this far, may we ask something of you? Will you help us generate word of mouth for ShoesforAFOS.com? Please share on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, your own blog, or with just one other mom by text or email!