So What Really Makes Me Toms?

As a child, I always had to have a pair of shoes on because I was born with congenital heart disease (I had open-heart surgery at the age of three and multiple other procedures throughout my life). Any type of "bad" cut or sore could be a potential danger to my heart and blood stream. Although I understood the danger of not wearing shoes, I didn't care.

                             

I hated wearing shoes.         

My mom would continuously make me put on shoes. She would yell, scream, and beg! But, I was as stubborn as they get.

Today, I realize how privileged I was – and still am – that I even had the option of wearing shoes, nonetheless owning multiple pairs of shoes. That is why I am so passionate about this brand. Thinking back on my childhood, I thought it was so terrible to wear shoes. Although I was innocent and naive, how could I complain about this luxury when so many children yearn to own merely one pair of shoes?

I understand the precautions one must take when dealing with diseases. Being careful has epitomized my entire life. Therefore, if spreading diseases can diminish simply by wearing shoes, I am, by all means, one hundred percent behind this wonderful cause.

Toms is an unique brand that campaigns for an extraordinarily important cause. I, too, believe that I am an unique person. Because I was able to live a normal, healthy life after my surgery and procedures –  in my sophomore and junior year of high school – I began speaking for the American Heart Association. I spoke to share my story, my miracle of life. By doing so, I was able to raise money for the AHA. My every intention was to help further cardiac research and spread the awareness that this disease is not just an old man's disease. It affects children, too. In more ways than even imaginable. 

Children are so incredibly important to me. They are our hopes for a better future. I understand how it feels to be different. No child should need to feel that way. Toms helps make everyone feel special, loved and accepted. And, that is my passion: spreading acceptance, even if it's simply by giving a pair of shoes to a shoeless child.

What Makes Me Toms?

Toms is a brand of shoes, designed by Blake Mycoskie in 2006, that is based around the campaign "One For One Movement." Each time a person buys a pair of Toms shoes, another pair of Toms is donated to children in need all around the world. The video below inspirationally tells the story behind the shoe, a shoe designed to bring universal comfort to innocent children. 

Here is an excerpt from  the Toms website:

Why Shoes?

Many children in developing countries grow up barefoot. Whether at play, doing chores or going to school, these children are at risk:

•A leading cause of disease in developing countries is soil-transmitted diseases, which can penetrate the skin through bare feet. Wearing shoes can help prevent these diseases, and the long-term physical and cognitive harm they cause.
•Wearing shoes also prevents feet from getting cuts and sores. Not only are these injuries painful, they also are dangerous when wounds become infected.

•Many times children can't attend school barefoot because shoes are a required part of their uniform. If they don't have shoes, they don't go to school. If they don't receive an education, they don't have the opportunity to realize their potential. (Copyright to http://www.toms.com/our-movement)

So, Why Toms?
I found it necessary to use this brand to describe myself, as my idol and favorite musician is the great John Lennon. Bringing peace and equality to all people is a huge passion of mine. I feel as though all people – especially children – deserve a chance of happiness and success in this world. Children are the innocence of the world. They are our future, our hopes, our dreams. And, as Mahatma Gandhi once said, “If we are to teach real peace in this world, and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with the children.”