After a letter to Nike from a 17-year-old with cerebral palsy went viral this past summer, the company connected with the teen to create special shoes he can manage independently.

Matthew Walzer wrote an open letter in August to Nike CEO Mark Parker asking him to make shoes that are more accessible for people with disabilities.

“Cerebral palsy stiffens the muscles in the body,” Walzer wrote. “As a result I have flexibility in only one of my hands which makes it impossible for me to tie my shoes.”

Walzer said that he would like to be able to go to college in the coming years without worrying about who help him with his shoes.

The letter drew broad attention on social media under the hashtag #NikeLetter and ultimately made its way to Nike headquarters. Designers at the company reached out to the Parkland, Fla. teen and created a modified version of their Nike Hyperdunk basketball shoe for him that relies on Velcro and zippers rather than laces, reports The Oregonian. To read more click here.

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