The Story of Dick and Rick Hoyt- True Inspiration
Want to to be inspired? Watch this story of Dick and Rick Hoyt.
Rick was born in 1962 without the ability to talk, walk or barely move. He was diagnosed as a spastic quadriplegic with cerebral palsy as a result of oxygen deprivation at birth. Doctors told Dick, Ricks’ dad and his wife to put Rick in an institution, but they brought him home, enrolled him in school and built a special computer that helped Rick communicate. See how this father-son duo started running marathons and why it brings joy to Rick’s life. Team Hoyt is a truly inspirational story of father and son. Now they compete in marathons and triathlons all across the country.
In the spring of 1977, Rick told his dad he wanted to help out a Lacrosse player who had been paralyzed in an accident. Rick wanted to participate in a 5-mile benefit for him. Dick was no long distance runner but he agreed to push Rick in his wheelchair and finished all 5 miles coming in second to last place. That same night , Rick told his father, “Dad, when I’m running,it feels like I’m not handicapped”.
Well, that was just the beginning. Over 1,000 races later, including marathons, duathlons, and triathlons (6 being ironman competitions), Dick and Rick Hoyt have become an inspiration to all.
You can view Team Hoyt’s full story at Team Hoyt.
