One-handed Shoe Tying

Shoes Tell Us A Lot About Our Culture

Why do we need shoes? What's the point, besides to protect our feet? Much like the reason we do our hair in different styles as part of our personality, we wear shoes to represent our different cultures. For example, a place where people wear mostly sneakers and hiking boots will indicate that they live an active culture whereas an area where people wear flip flops and sandals may indicate that they live in a warm and relaxed culture. With this in mind, how do people with one hand tie their shoes? Keep reading to find out.

My Background

Ever since I was a little girl, my left foot was two sizes smaller than my right. This made it hard trying to find shoes that were in my size for my right foot but worked with my left foot. This left me limited to only being able to wear certain types of shoes.

There's No Need For Laces

Whoever said that we need laces to do our shoes? Over the years, as you know technology and creativity have gone up drastically in our economy since the time I was born. When I looked online, I couldn't believe how many different ways you could do your shoes without even tying them. People are so creative. Why don't we take a closer look at one of my favorite creations, shall we?

Hickies Lacing System

I absolutely love this product. I didn't even know that this even existed. When our family friend first gave these to me I put them on my hiking boots to try them out. At first, when you look at them, they look really simple, but when you put them on your shoe it is snug like it would if you tyed your shoes with laces. The thing I like about these is that they come in colors to match your shoes and the fact that you can slip on your shoes and go.

Types of Shoes I wore As A Kid

As a little girl, from what I can remember was that my shoe wardrobe consisted of sneakers and ballet slippers. As you can imagine, this had to of been hard for a little kid only being able to wear really two types of shoes. That takes away so many different shoe categories like boots, sandals, and any other slip-on shoes, but my mom and dad always found cute shoes that I could wear with every outfit.

Velcro Shoes

I don't really remember wearing these as a kid, but  I'm sure without a doubt that my mom dressed me up in these types of shoes when I was younger. Aren't they so cute? What I love about these shoes is that they have velcro and come in many different colors for both boys and girls. If your child or a child you know has a disability like me, then it will probably take them a little while to figure out how to tie their shoes. This type of shoe will be fast and easy for them to slip on and velcro.


Ballet Slippers

These types of shoes are a lifesaver. I use to wear these for every school dance and daddy: daughter dance I went to when I was a kid. Not only are they comfy, but with the strap that goes over the top of the foot, it worked for my feet; even though my parents had to buy two different sizes.

 One Loop Method

As I got a little bit older I started doing Occupational Therapy; which helped me become more independent and helped me learn how to do daily tasks with one hand. During the time I was in Occupational Therapy one of the tasks I learned to do was tie my shoe with one hand. I want to thank the Children's Therapy Team for letting me use their video.

                          One-loop Method

Shoes I Wear As An Adult

As I got older, my parents and I started playing around with different types of shoes and found a few options that worked for both my feet and allowed me to have more of a variety with my shoe wardrobe.

Women's Yoga Sling 2 Sandals

This is probably one of my top favorite pairs of shoes in my closet; besides my hiking boots. When my mom first got these sandals for me I couldn't wait for our upcoming beach trip so I could wear them. They really do feel like you are walking on yoga mats. I can't tell you how much I love these shoes. Some other nice parts about this type of shoe are that it is easy to put on with one hand and that they come in many different colors to match any outfit you wear whether it is on vacation or in your everyday life.

Converses 

Are you one of those people that love a casual, but kind of dressy look?  If so, you're not alone. My favorite type of style is casual, but sometimes I like to dress up just a little bit. These shoes are super comfy, have many different colors, and goes with all my outfits.

Alyssa-bilities Method

       

After many years, I started getting tired of having to wait until my mom or dad relaced my shoes for me before I could wear them, so I created my own way of doing it. It is pretty much the same concept that I learned when I was younger, but instead of relacing the whole shoe with just one lace; I keep it laced with two laces and make a loop on both sides.

Steps To Tying Your Shoes With One Hand

1. Put on your shoes and tighten them the best you can 
2. With one of the shoelaces make a small loop and pinch it with your thumb and pointer finger
3. While holding the loop at the same time you will need to tuck it under the first cross lace of your shoe
4. Make a second loop with the remaining part of the lace that you used to make the first loop
5. Pull the second loop through the first loop and pull gently to keep it in place
   
6. Repeat process with the other shoe.

Tada, that's how you tie your shoes with one hand.