Schuh has introduced a single-shoe purchasing service in all its stores, offering a more inclusive and accessible shopping experience for those who, due to a limb difference or disability, require only one shoe. As part of their inclusive product offering, you can buy a single shoe for 50% of the price for a pair.

This is a commendable step by a high street retailer and they have joined brands such as M&S and Tommy Hilfiger in prioritising inclusion. The hope is that more retailers will move towards such inclusivity for those with disabilities.

The Schuh single-shoe purchasing service will be a significant benefit to amputees. Being an amputee can present a wide range of physical, emotional, societal and financial challenges which makes daily life more difficult.

• Physical challenges – Mobility and balance can be severely affected, often requiring the use of prosthetics, which may not always be comfortable or fully restore independence. Many amputees face chronic pain, including phantom limb pain, and experience greater fatigue as moving with a prosthesis demands extra energy.
• Emotional challenges – Losing a limb can deeply impact a person’s body image and self-confidence. Many struggle with accepting their new physical appearance, which can lead to anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), especially for those who lost limbs due to accidents, illness, or trauma.
• Social challenges – Amputees may encounter stigma, inaccessibility, and discrimination, particularly in public spaces or the workplace. Simple tasks can become more difficult, and many find themselves dependent on caregivers or assistive services.
• Financial challenges – Financial strain adds another layer of difficulty, with high medical costs for surgeries, prosthetics, and ongoing therapy, often exceeding what insurance will cover.

Together, these factors create a complex set of obstacles for amputees as they work to regain independence and adjust to their new realities. It may seem that a shoe is not a significant issue in the face of such obstacles but having the same freedom of choice when it comes to fashion will go a long way in helping people to feel that they are not defined by their disability.