ଯ Team HOYT - An Inspirational story of a father and son with their strong fighting spirit

At Rick's birth in 1962 the umbilical cord coiled around his neck and cut off oxygen to his brain. Dick and his wife, Judy, were told that there would be no hope for their child's development. The couple brought their son home determined to raise him as "normally" as possible. In 1977 when Rick was 16 he learned of a 5 mile road race that would benefit a college student who was injured in a car accident. Using his communicator, Rick told his dad that he wanted to "run" in the race as his contribution. After the race Dick could hardly move for 2 weeks. He was in agony. But one night while soaking his aching muscles Rick came home and typed a message that changed Dick's life forever. "Dad, when I'm running, it feels like I'm not handicapped anymore." Finally Rick had found something that gave him freedom like nothing else. At that point , Dick knew what he had to do...and the rest is history. In case for those who are not aware what is Triathlon aka Ironman. It is a 2.4 miles of swimming, 112 miles on a bike, 26.2 miles running and on top of that the bicycle weighed 60pounds, Rick weighed 90pounds and Dick weighed 170 pounds making a total 320pounds. Dick kept insisting that it is his son who is the athlete. "I don't know what it is, but when I get behind his chair, there's something that happens. Rick is the driving force of the team. I loan him my body, but it's Rick's spirit that keeps us going."

Dick's motto: "There is nothing we cannot do together" Quote from Rick Hoyt: "For as long as I can remember, people said I would never be able to do anything. My parents and I believed I could, and we've been proving them wrong ever since."

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