Inspiring, heartwarming story of a Father

We are so happy to have decided to start this website, we are. Not just because of what we said in the ‘about us’ section but because we started realizing how many inspiring stories are out there which we never knew existed. And as when we come across a new story that is equally or more inspiring than the previous one we are just filled with awe of the message each story brings, this is one such story, story of love, endurance and perseverance, this is story of ‘Team Hoyt’.

Dick Hoyt and Rick Hoyt, father and son aged 66 and 44 respectively#, are famous today all over the world by the name ‘Team Hoyt’.

Rick was born with a disability that prevented him from talking or walking. He was mentally normal just like anyone else. When Rick was a kid his expressions took form of words with help of a group of engineers from Tufts University who built an interactive computer using which Rick could type his thoughts using the head movements. When he first used this machine instead of greeting his parents or siblings he typed “Go Bruins”, which is one of the hockey teams in the game that was going on at the time, this showed his passion for sports and made family realize that he was following the game all along.

While in the school Rick expressed his desire to participate in the five mile support run for a local lacrosse player who was paralyzed in an accident, Rick wanted to do something with his life rather just sit and watch as life goes by him. Dick decided that he would help his son in this cause and he ran pushing Rick in this benefit event. This was the first time they ever participated in a public event. When the race was finished, Rick said “Dad I felt as if my disability was disappeared” and that is all Dick needed to hear, starting that day Dick decided that he will be his son’s body to transcend his disability.

Since then, Dick and Rick together competed continuously in marathon races. ‘Together they have climbed mountains, and once trekked 3,735 miles across America’*. They participated in over 950 races, 60 Marathons and also competed in triathlons — combination of 26.2 miles of running, 112 miles of bicycling, and 2.4 miles of swimming. While running Dick pushes the wheel chair through out the race until finish line. During bicycling, Rick sits in front of a specially designed bicycle and Dick does not stop cycling until they reach the end of the race. In swimming, Dick ties rope to the boat with Rick and swims all 2.3 miles. At 66 when most consider moving a bit of a challenge, it is just awe inspiring that Dick carries on with such a spirit and puts himself through the agony for just one single reason, ‘to see the smile on his son’s face’. Dick says “I love my family and just want to be the very best father I can be” and undoubtedly he is among the best. Dick says ‘as long as we are having fun, we are enjoying it and we are healthy, we will continue doing it’.

Selfless love truly gives you the power never imagined of. Many youngsters would find it difficult or merely impossible to the thought of doing all those races, triathlons that ‘Team Hoyt’ goes through, but even at his age, Dick finds the ability to go through all these physically challenging ventures for his son’s happiness. His mission is not to let his son feel left out, he wants Rick to be included in whatever makes him Happy and for that Dick goes as far as it takes. Think about it, the very reason we don’t find the courage or energy to set ourselves upon a grander mission could be that our goals may be too self centered, may be and just may be, if we start thinking from the angle of love (selfless love) we may find a great reservoir of energy in ourselves which was dormant so far. Once we do this, we will be able to push beyond our self confined limits and transcend all the limitations that were once bothering us.

When Rick was born Doctors concluded that Rick would not be able to do anything in his entire life. Dick says “Well those doctors are not alive any more, but I would like them to be able to see Rick now”*.

Rick graduated from Boston University and is working for Boston College’s computer laboratory where he is helping develop a system that could operate using the eye movements of physically impaired. He says “I have shown the disabled people that they do not have to sit back and watch the world go by, they too can go to school, get a job and included in every day life”.

“The message of Team Hoyt is that everybody should be included in everyday life*”.

Team Hoyt’s motto is ‘YOU CAN’ and they are a living proof that ‘YOU CAN’ when you DECIDE to. Team Hoyt message touches everyone, whether one is physically challenged or not, we all find something we can take from their story to give our dreams a new hope, to give our dreams a second chance to live irrespective of age, and look at things in a whole new perspective. Their story also inspires everyone to re-think about what they considered ‘impossible’ so far and give it their best shot ONCE AGAIN.

Truly one of great the inspiring stories demonstrating the power of love and what parents can do for their loved ones. See this incredible story yourself in the video:

Photo Credit: Ellery Chen(License)
Story source: http://www.teamhoyt.com & YouTube
# age at the time this story was aired on TV