My friend Joniah lives a life that few others do. He lives the life of a person who is 7 feet tall.

That's right, people--a whole 84 inches tall.

When people see Joniah, their first reaction is most often "Whoa," followed by "How tall are you?!" and "Do you play basketball?"

Sure, being 7 feet tall means he's practically a human ladder, and he can dunk more easily than most people, which is part of the reason why he does in fact play basketball. Seeing tall men standing next to each other while dunking basketballs seems perfectly normal. But when we take these heroes of March off the court and surround them with average people, their large stature draws attention. Being in class with Joniah and the rapidly approaching March Madness basketball tournament has made me think about vertical challenges that I, at a meager 5 feet 10 inches, would have never thought about--challenges that giant men such as Joniah and his fellow basketball players deal with on a day to day basis.

Here's a few...

1. They have to duck to walk under every standard door they walk through.

The height of a standard door is 6 feet 8 inches.

2. They have to get comfortable being the "front row Joe".

In classrooms set up with desks, these gentlemen don't get the luxury of sitting anywhere other than the front row if they wish to have any leg room.

3. Everyone asks them how tall they are.

They are constantly asked this same question over and over.

4. Plane rides will never be comfortable for them.

If you feel squished in an airplane, just imagine how they feel.

5. Finding clothes must be a difficult task.

"Big and tall" stores were made for these people, right?