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#3140980 - 11/20/10 03:43 AM Team Hoyt story  
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 317
Bono Offline
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Bono  Offline
Member

Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 317
Seoul, South Korea
For all the dads here who haven't heard about this touching, tear producing story yet.

Before you watch the video clip, you need to read the story first;

Rick was born in 1962 to Dick and Judy Hoyt. As a result of oxygen deprivation to Rick's brain at the time of his birth (for his neck being girded with umbilical cord, according to the story I heard), Rick was diagnosed as a spastic quadriplegic with cerebral palsy. Dick and Judy were advised to institutionalize Rick because there was no chance of him recovering, and little hope for Rick to live a "normal" life. This was just the beginning of Dick and Judy's quest for Rick's inclusion in community, sports, education and one day, the workplace.

Dick and Judy soon realized that though Rick couldn't walk or speak; he was quite astute and his eyes would follow them around the room. They fought to integrate Rick into the public school system, pushing administrators to see beyond Rick's physical limitations. Dick and Judy would take Rick sledding and swimming, and even taught him the alphabet and basic words, like any other child. After providing concrete evidence of Rick's intellect and ability to learn like everyone else, Dick and Judy needed to find a way to help Rick communicate for himself.

With $5,000 in 1972 and a skilled group of engineers at Tufts University, an interactive computer was built for Rick. This computer consisted of a cursor being used to highlight every letter of the alphabet. Once the letter Rick wanted was highlighted, he was able to select it by just a simple tap with his head against a head piece attached to his wheelchair. When the computer was originally first brought home, Rick surprised everyone with his first words. Instead of saying, "Hi, Mom," or "Hi, Dad," Rick's first "spoken" words were: "Go, Bruins!" The Boston Bruins were in the Stanley Cup finals that season. It was clear from that moment on, that Rick loved sports and followed the game just like anyone else.

In 1975, at the age of 13, Rick was finally admitted into public school. After high school, Rick attended Boston University, and he graduated with a degree in Special Education in 1993. Dick retired in 1995 as a Lt. Colonel from the Air National Guard, after serving his country for 37 years.

In the spring of 1977, Rick told his father that he wanted to participate in a 5-mile benefit run for a Lacrosse player who had been paralyzed in an accident. Far from being a long-distance runner
(he was heavily over weight, I heard), Dick agreed to push Rick in his wheelchair and they finished all 5 miles, coming in next to last. That night, Rick told his father, "Dad, when I'm running, it feels like I'm not handicapped."

This realization was just the beginning of what would become over 1,000 races completed, including marathons, duathlons and triathlons (6 of them being Ironman competitions). Also adding to their list of achievements, Dick and Rick biked and ran across the U.S. in 1992, completing a full 3,735 miles in 45 days.

In a triathlon, Dick will pull Rick in a boat with a bungee cord attached to a vest around his waist and to the front of the boat for the swimming stage. For the biking stage, Rick will ride a special two-seater bicycle, and then Dick will push Rick in his custom made running chair (for the running stage).

Rick was once asked, if he could give his father one thing, what would it be? Rick responded, "The thing I'd most like is for my dad to sit in the chair and I would push him for once."

The 2009 Boston Marathon was officially Team Hoyt's 1000th race. Rick always says if it comes down to doing one race a year he would like it to be the Boston Marathon: his favorite race. Dick Hoyt hopes that he is able to push Rick in the Boston Marathon when he is 70 years old (2011)! Neither Dick or Rick are ready to retire yet.


Here's video;


Inline advert (2nd and 3rd post)

#3141013 - 11/20/10 04:39 AM Re: Team Hoyt story [Re: Bono]  
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,236
Lone Star Ace Offline
Simulated Ace
Lone Star Ace  Offline
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Member

Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,236
Spring, TX
I don't know how to thank you so much for sharing this.
I am a blubbering mess right now but I was truly moved by this story of a father's love for his son.
Pop "stars", Movie "stars" and all celebrities are not real stars and heros.
Dick Hoyt is a true STAR and a true HERO !
I beg of you all to make time to read his story and watch the video.

#3141094 - 11/20/10 12:27 PM Re: Team Hoyt story [Re: Bono]  
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,072
semmern Offline
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semmern  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,072
Oslo, Norway
I have seen this clip before, but it's been four or five years. It took all of 20 seconds before I was crying like a baby. Dick Hoyt has got to be the best father that ever lived. Period.


In all my years I've never seen the like. It has to be more than a hundred sea miles and he brings us up on his tail. That's seamanship, Mr. Pullings. My God, that's seamanship!
#3141767 - 11/21/10 08:04 PM Re: Team Hoyt story [Re: Bono]  
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,072
semmern Offline
Veteran
semmern  Offline
Veteran

Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,072
Oslo, Norway
Can't believe this is on its way off the front page!


In all my years I've never seen the like. It has to be more than a hundred sea miles and he brings us up on his tail. That's seamanship, Mr. Pullings. My God, that's seamanship!
#3141844 - 11/21/10 11:21 PM Re: Team Hoyt story [Re: Bono]  
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,585
coasty Offline
Senior Member
coasty  Offline
Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,585
Asheville, NC, USA
A great story, inspiring and real. Hearing about the stupid antics of so called celebrities is sickening this generation. Keep the real heroes on the front page!


Have you seen the Arrow? WWW

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