Shoe Train’s customers are savvy and smart. They understand the importance of a properly fitted shoe. As their parents and grandparents understood generations before, a shoe isn’t just a shoe – it is, from the ground up, the way to create for a child the platform on which s/he will balance and move throughout time. When it comes to a building, we know that the platform or foundation we build translates into a sturdy building. The same holds true for the feet with respect to the body. Those who wear properly fitted shoes, allowing their bodies the ability to create a sturdy foundation, fair better in the end as teenagers and adults. Research shows that knees and hips, backs and necks are negatively affected decades later when improperly fitted shoes have adorned the feet in childhood.
Shoe Train customer, Amber Elia, is one of those savvy, smart customers. After her first experience at Shoe Train, Amber celebrated her experience on her blog, “Amber and Max.” We, in turn, would like to celebrate Amber by reprinting (with permission), her blog about her experience at Shoe Train.

TUESDAY, MAY 15, 2012
Shoe Train Ltd. in Potomac, MD
Today, Max had an appointment near Potomac, MD. For a few months now, his PT has suggested that we go to this shoe store called Shoe Train, Ltd. in Potomac because they specialize in children’s shoes and have orthotics to help with early development; it is the only store of its kind without having to involve doctors and insurance companies, and the insoles are many grades above the kind that can be bought at Walmart, etc.

Anyway, I highly suggest Shoe Train, Ltd. in Potomac, MD for everyone. The founder of the store, Ed, is still an employee and has been in business for over 40 years. As we were in the store, a customer who has been working with Ed for over 40 years came in and was telling another sales associate how she doesn’t go anywhere else because of how great Ed is…After my experience, I don’t see myself taking Max anywhere else but to Shoe Train, also.

Ed worked with us for about an hour–I wasn’t expecting it to take such a long time to find orthotics for Max but it was painless and I only noticed how long it took after we got back to the car to drive home. From the moment we met Ed, he was nothing but pleasant and helpful. Ed spent about 10 minutes watching Max walk, cruise, and play to see Max’s natural movement. Ed was quick to point out different things he noticed and suggested how an orthotic could help support here and balance there. Then, he brought out three different pairs. The first pair was too short, and the second pair was very structured (something Max would benefit from) but too narrow; ultimately, the third pair was it–it was the same kind of orthotic as the first pair Max was fitted for but accommodating in size. Since, Max needed more structure Ed decided that he would create that structure with the shoe style so he fitted the insoles into a higher-top flexible sole shoe; he also laced the shoes differently to create more support around the entire ankle and not just at the top of the shoe. Once the shoes were prepared we stuck them on Max and watched him walk, cruise, and play. There was a slight difference in his stance–and that’s where it starts! 

And, as if Ed wasn’t great enough already, he didn’t charge us for the orthotics this time because they were a “new/used” pair that another person bought and ultimately didn’t fit right (they were also the only size for Max in the store but the new shipment arrives tomorrow, and Ed still said he didn’t want us to have to wait).

It is a great store, with great customer service and well worth the trip to Potomac. The orthotics are generally around $70 at Shoe Train, Ltd., which is still cheaper than most insurance company copays for durable medical equipment and office visits combined.

Definitely check them out if your child needs orthotics …

http://amber-and-max.blogspot.com/2012/05/shoe-train-ltd-in-potomac-md.html