Team Hoyt

As usual the holidays were busy. Jon and I had a wonderful visit from our parents over the holidays and got to spend 2 great weeks together. It's been a few weeks since we posted a blog article so we thought we'd come back with a great story.

This story is about Dick and Rick Hoyt. Rick was born as a spastic quadriplegic, cerebral palsy, non-speaking person. However, Rick's mind and person have always been strong. Doctors told Rick's parents that he should be put away and would never amount to anything. Dick (Rick's Father) had other plans. Rick's parents brought him home and treated him like their other children. Today, among many other achievements, Rick is a graduate of Boston University.

When Rick was in grade school, he heard of a running race that was acting as a fund raiser for a lacrosse player who had become paralyzed. Rick was determined to help raise money and he told his father he wanted to join the race. Dick agreed to push his son. After the race Rick told his father that when he was racing he didn't feel handicapped. That comment lite a spark inside of Dick and the couple haven't stopped since. To date Dick and Rick have competed in 984 events ranging from 5K running races to Ironman triathlons (2.4 miles of swimming, 112 miles of biking, and 26.2 miles of running all in one day).

In short, Dick and Rick are truly incredible people. This is a story about true love and proof that ANYONE can do something if they put their mind to it. I think their story should be a lesson to us all.

Please watch the video above and visit the Team Hoyt website to learn more about Dick and Rick.

Thank you Dick and Rick for being such and incredible inspiration to all of us.

Chris Thornham