America's Tallest Man Needs (Needed?) New Shoes

This is a feel-good story for a change. Igor Vovkovinskiy is 7'8" and cannot find shoes to fit him. He wears a size 26 (!) and Reebok has told him it will cost at least $15,000 for a pair of specially made shoes. To raise this money, he began a funding website to solicit donations. During the first two weeks he recieved $2,500. As of yesterday, he had reached $4,500. Between then and now his story went semi-viral on CNN and he now has $25,012 accumulated as of this moment, including a $1,000 donation from movie producer Robert Orci in the last 3 hours.

It is really great to see people rally around a worthwhile cause and give what they can in hopes of making someone's life easier. These types of stories aren't reported on enough, the nightly news is filled with crime and death with just a little bit of good sprinkled in. Granted, that's probably an accurate representation of the world we live in today, but one should take time to appreciate the good in people if at all possible. Thanks to the kindness and generosity of others, this man now has the support he needs (pun intended?).

This is an excerpt from his fundraising page on gofundme.com:

I am 7 feet 8.33 inches tall, and I haven't had a proper fitting pair of shoes for more than 6 years. No matter what company I write to, or how many friends of mine ask companies to help me with my shoe dilemma, nobody wants to help if there is no benefit for them. Reebok recently told me, that the scan of my feet and a custom mold of my feet will cost about $16,000. They won't do it otherwise. I thought I could do commercials for the shoe company that helped me get some proper footwear, but apparently I am not a desirable candidate for commercials.

We have written to Oprah, Dr. Phil, CNN, ABC News, CBS News, NBC News, Ac360, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Reebok, Adidas, Nike, Converse, Red Wing Shoes, Basketball Players, WWE Wrestlers, Basketball Coaches, Jimmy Fallon, Conan O'Brien, Jay Leno, The Daily Show, Science Channel, National Geographic, Bill Maher, President Obama, Michele Obama, and others, and nobody has ever responded with any offer to help. So now I turn to the public as a whole.

Here is the link to the story, and the video is on that page:
America's Tallest Man Needs New Shoes

And here is his fundraising website:
Igor Needs New Shoes

Congrats on the new kicks, Igor!

reply to post by MentalPriapism


That is a feel good story, just goes to show there is still good people out in the world! LOl OP ever hear the country song Christmas shoes, I almost teared up watching this and singing song in head

but a question remains, given the fact that we are in a bad economy makes peoples sacrifice of money even more sweet it makes you wonder why a big company like rebook couldn't just donate them, really how many giants come asking for free shoes? I am sure the amount would of been worth the 'free advertising' that would of covered the cost in its self....

reply to post by MentalPriapism

Sounds like some weird advertising stunt to me. 15 grand for a pair of Reeboks? He should just go to a (possibly specialised) shoemaker instead of wanting a pair of (I assume) glorified sneakers that won't last long at all and save some money. I wish him luck in any case, it looks like walking itself isn't an easy thing for him.

i guess reebok dont like good publicity, but atleast they saved themselves $15k.
nice to see others helped out.

Any good shoe maker could whip some up for him for less than $1000.

What a complete rip off... Never buying Reebok again (well, in theory, not worn name brand shoes in 30 years!)

reply to post by Qumulys


Well, if you watch the video, you will see he has had numerous foot issues and surgeries and his feet are all kinds of misshapen now, so if I had to guess that probably plays a big role in why he can't have just any regular shoes made for him.

I am glad some people on ATS like stories like this. It disappoints me more of the members here can't take joy in a touching human interest story, but then again that is not what this site is for. It does feel like these types of things are too rare nowadays, everyone is interested in watching out for themselves and can't be bothered to help others much, so it's good to see people step up to the plate for a good cause, even when they aren't well-off or swimming in money.

Think this is a wonderful heart warming story and so many people came forward to help him with his goal for a pair of shoes ..His feet must just be killing him all the time i cant imagine the pain ..With so many surgeries on his feet im sure the only way he can get shoes to fit him is to have someone like Reebok take a mold of his feet and custom make them with a arch to make his feet feel better have the support he needs to walk..peace,sugarcookie1 S&F