Watch Disabled Woman Take To The Street In Stilettos She Designed For Her Short Stature!
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A disabled woman has launched her own all-inclusive shoe business after facing difficulties finding stilettos that would fit her short stature.
43-year-old Lauren Ruotolo opened a company called ‘Unstoppable’ with the purpose of catering to everyone, including those of smaller or bigger stature that typically have problems finding shoes that fit them.
Ms. Ruotolo has lived with a rare genetic disorder also known as McCune-Albright Syndrome for her entire life. Standing at just 4 ft 2 inch tall, Ruotolo knows just how hard it was for her to find shoes that would fit her small feet. For that reason, the brave woman launched her own business that offers heels of sizes 3 to 13.
“I became a confident woman at a young age and that was because I didn’t have a choice,” the 43-year-old admitted in an interview with Barcroft TV.
“I want to be stylish, I want to wear shoes and I decided that if I make them, they will come.”
As the woman went on to add, she was diagnosed with the disease at the age of 18 months old.
“The doctors told me I may end up in a wheelchair, I made a decision with my physical therapist that I’d always be vertical because walking is freedom,” she added.
Despite her determination, however, Lauren’s life has never been easy.
“My whole life is a jungle gym – I’m always climbing or jumping to get something because I can never reach everything,” she expressed.
“Everybody tells me to be careful all the time – I could be two years old or 42 and someone in my life will tell me to be careful.”
Fortunately, the disabled woman discovered her true passion, style and fashion, which led her to open her own business.
“I started wearing stilettos in college – I could never find shoes and it became this ‘Where’s Waldo’ of shoes for me,” Lauren said.
“I started to adapt fashion to my body and my feet – if I wanted a certain dress that wasn’t available at the store, I thought I’m going to make it then.
“Advocacy starts with one person – so I am beginning a shoe line. I believe in inclusivity and diversity for all.”
While the 43-year-old still receives unwanted comments on a daily basis, she is now more confident than ever.
“Living in Manhattan, you never know what people are going to say to you – I still easily get one or two crazy comments a day. But wearing heels makes me feel more confident – you feel taller and you stand taller,” she admitted.
“I’m honored to see people really smile when they put on the shoes and feel great. It’s exciting to see other people walk in these shoes and create their own story.”
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