Reading Room, 18 Beale St, Quincy, MA 02170, US

Training Ties were created by Robert Morong, a Physical Education and Special Education elementary school teacher from a low-income district outside of Boston, MA. He’s been in education for 15 years at various positions and one thing he noticed a lot, were shoe laces being untied. He spent a good portion of his day in class, tying shoes and teaching students how to tie shoes, and would love the moment when a student learns how to tie their shoes on their own. They become very proud and often want to start helping others. He designed Training Ties for that purpose. To spread the joy and independence that comes from learning to tie your own shoes. Often times physical impairment, age, or illness can prohibit someone from doing what they think comes easier to others and it can be a source of frustration, sadness and shame. Training Ties are made with no-frills and with one intention in mind; to help people tie their shoes. Like Training Wheels, many will graduate from needing them to tie their shoes, into not needing them anymore (and that's great)! Others may rely on them for extra security. Either way, our hope is that Training Ties can help turn the process of tying shoes from a source of frustration - to a source of pride.