The Huffington Post just broke this news story about an incredibly exciting new sneaker from our friends at Nike.

The article tells the story of Matthew Walzer, a college sophomore with Cerebral Palsy.

Up until now, simply putting on his shoes was an impossible task. While he could independently dress himself, footwear was a whole separate challenge.

Lacking the dexterity to get his foot in and out of his shoes, the Florida teen had to enlist the help of others.

He told Huff Post, “By the time you turn 16 it gets frustrating or embarrassing if you're out with your friends and your shoe comes untied and you have to ask your friend, ‘Hey, can you bend down and tie my shoe for me?’”

So he decided to do something about it.

Back in 2012, while he was still in high school, Walzer sent a letter to Nike. That letter ended up in the hands of Nike CEO Mark Parker, who in turn passed it along to Tobie Hatfield, the company’s senior director of athlete innovation.

Three years and one heck of a partnership later, Matthew Walzer and 

Hatfield’s team at Nike were ready to launch the Zoom Soldier 8 Flyease. And that's exactly what they did yesterday. 

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If you pay attention to I/DD news, you've likely seen the beautiful face (and body) of Madeline Stuart on your screen several times over the last couple of weeks. 

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I'd like to introduce you to my friend, Mark. He's the one with the backwards hat and the eye black on - not the pilgrim.    

By looking at this photo, you probably wouldn't know that Mark has a disability. In fact, as the numbered bib suggests - he had just finished a race when it was taken.

As someone who cannot seem to get into running no matter how hard I try, that in itself is inspiring to me.

But that's not why I'm blogging about him today.

In addition to participating in - and finishing - races, Mark has Cerebral Palsy. He also has a graduate degree, a job, owns a condo, and has season tickets for the Buffalo Sabres.

Every single home game, he climbs an obscene amount of stairs to get to the top of the 300 level at the First Niagara Center. I've done it with him, and trust me - it's not easy for anyone. Especially considering the last couple of seasons. 

Almost three years ago he got his NY State Driver's License, bought a car, and had it equipped so that he could operate it using hand controls. It was that last accomplishment (along with his dashing good looks) that landed him in his latest role, as the star of this television commercial for Main Mobility.

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