My DD's feet are a whole size different! Should I buy 2 pairs of shoes?

[mummyloveslucy]

Hi, my daughter is nearly 8 and has always had one foot bigger than the other. It used to be half a size, but as her feet have grown, so has the gap. She now has one foot a size 2 and the other a 3. The shoe fitter said she's never seen a child with a whole size difference.
My DD has learning difficulties and very poor co-ordination. This makes me think, I should really buy 2 pairs and have each foot fitted correctly. This would work out to about £85, as we tend to buy start-rite. It's just such a huge cost! Do you think it's worth it though? Would the smaller foot suffer that much, being in a bigger shoe? They have a sale on the start-rite website, but I'd have to just trust my own fitting of them.
I've been told that Clarks and Start-rite no longer sell odd shoes. Do you know of anyone who does?
Thanks.

I just wanted to say that I had a friend at school with feet like this, she just had to by two pairs of shoes!
I feel for you, shoes are so expensive!!!

I know. Then it's pumps for P.E, wellies, trainers, slippers, party shoes etc.

Hush puppies used to do seperate sizes I think. Could be worth a try.

Oh brilliant, thank you!

I had a friend at school whose poor parents had to do this. Is it worth seeing if any MNetters could make use of the other way round???

I worked for Clarks years ago and they used to do the second pair half price if you needed 2 sizes. Don't know if they still do it but it's worth asking.

Are you sure Clarks don't do odd sizes? It's advertised on their website: www.clarks.co.uk/HelpandInfo/StoresInStoreServices

I have a size and a half difference in mine and have had since I was about that age. When I was 30 I found out the reason for the difference (and my back ache, bowel and bladder problems and poor balance) is a tethered spinal cord as a result of a hidden form of spina bifida.

There are many reasons for different sized feet, most of them absolutely fine but as you mention poor co-ordination I thought I would give my experience - it sounds like you know about your dd's medical conditions though so I hope you aren't offended.

Would buying the bigger size and putting an insole in one of the shoes work possibly? (Clutching at straws!) one pair of shoes is expensive enough!

I think that Clarks would do two sizes from two pairs too. Well, they used to when I worked there anyway - it was 12 years ago but worth a try.

Quite a few children have one foot a whole size bigger. We all have one foot bigger than the other even if not a full size.

Note to self - read the thread properly!

Sorry OP I missed that you had said Clarks. :( That's such a shame when shoes are so expensive.

Hope you have some luck with Hush Puppies!

A quick Google seems to suggest that Clarks have reinstated their odd shoe scheme, so definitely worth a try. The website says: For further information please contact your local store or customer care on 08444 77 77 44.

Looking on google it seems hush puppies use something to alter fit rather than different shoe. I don't know if this affects just width or length. I knew I'd seen something about fitting each side individually.

MLL, is your DD's co-ordination bad enough that she might need piedro boots for stability? If so, the orthotics department at the hospital would fit her feet with the best size.

Thank you everyone!

Oddboots- She also has problems with her bowel, so I might look in to that. She also has learning difficulties and speech problems, so it could all be linked.

lougle- No, her co-ordination isn't that bad when she's walking or running, with nothing to trip over. It's more like difficulty climbing, she can't ride a bike and struggles with a 3 wheel scooter and difficulty getting up and down from the floor etc.

I will look at the Clarks website. (Fingers crossed)

I would buy 2 different sizes even if you have to buy cheaper shoes. There doesn't seem much point in paying extra for proper fitting if one of the shoes simply isn't going to fit.

True.

Would it be worth asking for a referral to orthotics dept to see if they could make some sort of insole for the smaller foot.

I've seen a little girl at the hosp dd goes to with a partial foot that she puts into a ballet shoe type inner sole and then puts the shoe over it - once the shoe is on you can't see the orthotic.

Could you buy two pairs of a basic plain black shoe, throw out the odd smaller shoe but keep the bigger odd one, then when her feet grow buy the next half-size up in the same shoe, and put her smaller foot in the shoe you saved? I know she'll have one new shoe and one older shoe then, but if you polish them up they won't look too bad.

DD was a half-size different for about three years, I could get away with an insole but all her shoes had to be lace-ups or one would be too loose. I didn't realise how lucky I was!

My dad used to own a childrens shoe shop. Hush Puppies do a fit left, fit right service so if the two feet are different sizes they sell 2 different sized shoes as a pair

I too have this problem & spina bifida occulta (terrible bowel problems too).

Its gotten better the older I've become but as a child it was two sizes difference. I always had the ugliest shoes at school, but now have wonderful shoes with lots of different type insoles

My Nan used to always buy my shoe schools - and it was two pairs.

Clarks do an odd shoe scheme. You pay for a pair plus 30% and get one shoe in one size and one in another. I currently work for clarks and have had to do this a few times!

Thanks everyone! I'll look at Clarks and Hush-Puppies then.

She is different widths too. The size 2 is a H and the size 3 is a G. (Strange child)