Supportive sandals to keep the fun going!

New Little Trekkers ambassador Sam (@thesunshine_mama) shares her thoughts with us, on our Keen Newport H2 Sandals, and how they helped her son, who has an undiagnosed hypermobility condition, to enjoy the beach for longer.

I don’t talk much about the specific health concerns of my children as I sometimes wonder if is really my information to share. However, within our community I thought it was really important to start a conversation about supporting children with undiagnosed conditions (because that alone is exhausting and frustrating).

For my son and I our health is directly affected by our environment, our clothing and especially our footwear. I have been diagnosed with Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (JHS) for nearly three years but I’ve been waiting about thirty years for this diagnosis! There are a variety of names for this condition now, as awareness is ever evolving, so you may hear or see the term Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS) but JHS is on my medical records hence why I use it.

Our condition requires us to take great care of our joints so I wear medical orthotics in my shoes every day and find a huge benefit from well- fitting and supportive footwear. So despite not being diagnosed this is one thing I know I can do to help my son.

He is such an adventurer and explorer I do struggle to find anything that fits the criteria for the summer months when we spend a lot of time walking and ‘beaching’. So when Little Trekkers asked if we would like to try a pair of sandals, I absolutely jumped at the chance.

Supportive, good grip (for those slippery rocks when rock pooling), waterproof and comfortable- what a brief! I was sure nothing could fit the bill so I am absolutely thrilled with these (as is my son!). They are Keen Newport H2 Sandals and cover all the criteria.

I no longer have to carry spare shoes because the damp ones are rubbing his feet, not worry about him slipping during his rock pooling escapades.

When I was interviewed to become an ambassador for this wonderful brand we had a conversation about supporting children to ensure we can help as many young people access the outdoors in a safe and comfortable way, to allow them to enjoy and savour their experiences. My son’s discomfort has become our norm and it wasn’t until our rock pooling adventure yesterday I realised he was able to continue splashing and climbing for much longer than usual without becoming sore or tired.

So although the purpose of this post was to review a fantastic Little Trekkers product it’s also a shout out to you awesome families trying to do the right thing for your children’s health despite the relentless set-backs we all seem to experience.