Health: Tallest Person In America In Need Of Expensive, Custom Made Shoes

By Stephanie Stahl

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Being tall. Extremely tall. You don't come across many people over seven feet walking down the street. Sometimes that size can be a problem. Currently the tallest man in America is struggling with something many of us take for granted. 3 On Your Side Health Reporter Stephanie Stahl has more.

You expect to see tall people on the basketball court. 76er Spencer Hawes is seven feet, one inch. And teammate Nik Vucevic is right behind him at seven feet.

Lankenau Medical Center Internist Daniel Lazowick is a team doctor for the 76ers.

"Majority of times it's just a genetic consequence. The individual that I see are extremely fine tuned, highly trained gifted athletes, and they're usually just big men," said Dr. Lazowick.

The tallest Sixer ever Manute Bol was seven feet, seven inches.

But the tallest man currently living in the U.S. is Igor Vovkovinskiy, who lives in Minnesota. He's a towering seven feet, eight inches tall.

"When we came to the United States from the Ukraine, I was almost seven years old. At that time, I had already surpassed my mom in height. I was already 6 feet tall," said Igor.

RELATED LINK: Igor's Fundraising Website

Being extremely tall is sometimes due to an overactive pituitary gland. In Igor's case, the 29 year old has a tumor on the gland.

"It's been pretty depressing at times," said Igor.

His big size has led to foot problems. Igor says he's down to one pair of shoes, with little to no support left and no traction. For a guy who's had 16 foot surgeries in the last three years, it's put him in a challenging and sad situation.

"Not having shoes has basically handicapped me partially," said Igor.

The residual pain from those surgeries makes it difficult for him to stay on his feet at times. So he moves around the house in a motorized wheelchair, and takes college courses online.

He says getting a new pair of shoes will be a challenge. Seven years ago he wore a size 26, but the surgeries have changed the shape of his feet. He doesn't know his current size. New custom made shoes are estimated to cost $16,000, which isn't in his budget.

With the encouragement of his friends, Igor started a web page and is collecting donations.

"I am amazed and pleasantly surprised, shocked at how generous people have been to me. I have so many things I want to do, just go for a simple walk," said Igor.

Igor says a pair of shoes with proper support would change his life, helping him lose weight and gain back the muscle he's lost.

He's raised nearly $40,000 so far online.