Looking at Laces

Amongst other things, J finds laces on footwear extremely difficult to deal with.  The combination of fiddly-ness, lack of power in his hands and general poor coordination mean that laces are viewed by him with dismay.  Added to this, is the eternal problem of having to go to a shop to have his feet measured, going through the explanation/demonstration to the shoe fitter about his 'aggressive' orthotic insoles and then finding (hopefully) that there is just one pair of boots that meet all requirements - supportive ankle, big enough for orthotic, waterproof and with velcro fastening.  However, on most recent occasions, no shop has been able to supply us with a suitable 'footwear solution'.

In the past, the Clarks online ordering of boots and collection/purchase post-fitting in store has worked well - but not this time.  Boots are only available in the winter season and unfortunately they don't offer any boots in an H fitting which is required by J.  So, we had to find a different solution.  When J was seen by the podiatrist at Great Ormond Street Hospital earlier in the year, she suggested that Timberland boots were something we could try.  A quick internet search revealed a pair of these boots that met all requirements bar the velcro fastening.  The boots were ordered and collected, had their insoles removed and J's orthotics inserted.  It was looking positive as the insoles fitted the length of the boot well.  Then J shoehorned his feet into the boots (literally) - he finds using a long, from Ikea, shoehorn the best way to get his feet into boots.  Then came the laces.  He was not happy to see them but, with a little lateral thinking on my part, they became acceptable to him.

I sourced a couple of lace toggles/locks and cap/end covers. (search on ebay for cord locks or spring toggles).

Here's what I did.  I inserted the laces in a toggle, added an end cap and tied the lace ends before pulling the cap down.  Not a perfect solution to tying the laces but at least J can make a good attempt at putting his boots on himself and we can check the tightness/fit prior to going out.  Result.  Quicker for us all with J having his own way to manage putting boots on.