Team Hoyt is a father (Dick Hoyt) and son (Rick Hoyt, b. 1962) in Massachusetts who compete together in marathons, triathlons, and other athletic endeavors. Rick has cerebral palsy, caused by loss of oxygen to his brain at birth because his umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck. Dick carries him in a special seat up front as they bike, pulls him in a special boat as they swim, and pushes him in a special wheelchair as they run.
Thanks to his parents, who ignored the advice of doctors that he would live life in a persistent vegetative state, and Tufts University engineers, who recognized that his sense of humor indicated intelligence; at the age of 12, Rick was able to learn how to use a special computer to communicate, using movements from his head. The first words he typed were, "Go Bruins!", and the family learned he was a sports fan. They entered their first race in 1977, a 5 mile benefit run for an injured lacrosse player who was a schoolmate of Rick's.
Dick is a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the Air National Guard. Rick earned a college degree from Boston University in special education, and now works at Boston College. They continue to compete in races, and are also motivational speakers.
As of January 31, 2008, Team Hoyt had participated in a total of 958 events, including 224 Triathlons (6 of which were Ironman competitions), 20 Duathlons, and 65 Marathons, including 25 Boston Marathons.[1] They have also biked and run across the USA, in 1992 — a 3,735 mile journey that took them 45 days.
Their story is one of hope and encouragement, where others saw only sorrow and death. What vision Dick must have had for his son, and what a life he has provided. But don't let your minds rest there . . . As a child of the King, our Heavenly Father has done so much more for every Christian who ever lived. We were all dead . . . unable to help ourselves. We were unworthy, just as the enemy has said . . . we were not worth the effort and that only sorrow and pain would result from us. We would have remained dead . . . But Jesus, who loves us as no other could, has lifted us up . . . We are too weak to even walk on our own, but through Jesus we not only walk, but we run, we race, and we win! All we need to do is rely on Him and rest in His power. Indeed . . . I CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens me. YES . . . JESUS, my redeemer lives!.
Thanks to his parents, who ignored the advice of doctors that he would live life in a persistent vegetative state, and Tufts University engineers, who recognized that his sense of humor indicated intelligence; at the age of 12, Rick was able to learn how to use a special computer to communicate, using movements from his head. The first words he typed were, "Go Bruins!", and the family learned he was a sports fan. They entered their first race in 1977, a 5 mile benefit run for an injured lacrosse player who was a schoolmate of Rick's.
Dick is a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the Air National Guard. Rick earned a college degree from Boston University in special education, and now works at Boston College. They continue to compete in races, and are also motivational speakers.
As of January 31, 2008, Team Hoyt had participated in a total of 958 events, including 224 Triathlons (6 of which were Ironman competitions), 20 Duathlons, and 65 Marathons, including 25 Boston Marathons.[1] They have also biked and run across the USA, in 1992 — a 3,735 mile journey that took them 45 days.
Their story is one of hope and encouragement, where others saw only sorrow and death. What vision Dick must have had for his son, and what a life he has provided. But don't let your minds rest there . . . As a child of the King, our Heavenly Father has done so much more for every Christian who ever lived. We were all dead . . . unable to help ourselves. We were unworthy, just as the enemy has said . . . we were not worth the effort and that only sorrow and pain would result from us. We would have remained dead . . . But Jesus, who loves us as no other could, has lifted us up . . . We are too weak to even walk on our own, but through Jesus we not only walk, but we run, we race, and we win! All we need to do is rely on Him and rest in His power. Indeed . . . I CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens me. YES . . . JESUS, my redeemer lives!.
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
