THE POWER OF CONFIDENCE

Here's the thing about 8-year-old Jake Dering: the kid's got swagger. After enduring 19 surgeries to treat an extremely rare genetic condition called otopalatodigital syndrome type II, he's earned the right to strut a little. He's also a smooth operator on the dance floor, making him a highly sought-after partner at weddings. "I'm good at the tango and romance dancing," he said. And his swagtastic creation, the Nike x Doernbecher Free 5.0+ Men's Running Shoe, is ideal for fresh dance moves.

JAKE'S DESIGN

Lenticular materials throughout the shoe give it the appearance of constantly being in motion—just like Jake. He offers some words of advice on the sockliners: one side reads "Be Brave," while the other reads "Never Give Up." And around the ankle collar, Jake's can-do attitude is summed up with the simple phrase "I wasn't made to fit in, I was made to stand out."

BENEFITS

• Ultra-breathable mesh upper for ventilation and comfort
• Dynamic Flywire for lightweight support and a glove-like fit 
• Nike Free flex grooves along the midsole for enhanced range of motion and flexibility
• Waffle outsole pistons for impact absorption and added responsiveness

PRODUCT DETAILS

• Full inner sleeve for a dynamic, sock-like fit and easy on and off
• Asymmetrical lacing system for reduced pressure on the top of the foot
• Nike+ ready

ABOUT THE DOERNBECHER FREESTYLE PROGRAM

Doernbecher Children's Hospital has been helping heal children and families in the Oregon and Washington area since 1926. It's a national leader in research and education and offers a wide range of comprehensive pediatric care. The Doernbecher Freestyle program, a partnership between Nike and Doernbecher, allows a group of special patients who have triumphed over serious illnesses to design authentic Nike shoes. Since the partnership began in 2004, the program has raised more than $6 million. This collection is sold on a limited-edition basis at Niketowns and Nike.com.

NIKE FREE ORIGINS

After learning that Stanford athletes had been training barefoot on the university's golf course, three of Nike's most innovative and creative employees set out to develop a shoe that felt natural and weightless, similar to bare feet. In 2002, they examined a group of men and women with pressure-measuring insoles taped to their feet, using high-speed cameras to capture images of each foot in motion.

The team spent eight years studying the biomechanics of shoeless running. The results yielded a profound understanding of the foot's natural landing angle, pressure and toe position, allowing Nike designers to build an unconventional and flexible running shoe from the inside out.