JOLLYJO

While perusing the Internet late one evening, I bumped into one of the most heartwarming articles I have seen in years. It was about a father and son, Dick and Rick Hoyt, who overcame great odds to become an inspiration to many. Their's is a story that should be told throughout generations - a story of tragedy, seemingly insurmountable obstacles, and triumph.

Rick, was born to Judy and Dick Hoyt in 1962. What should've been a joyful day for the couple, turned to tragic concern when they learned the umbilical cord had wrapped around their infant son's neck during birth, cutting off the oxygen to his brain. They were told their child would be severely mentally and physically challenged, and eight months later Dick and Judy were advised to put Rick in an institution. The doctors told them he would forever be a vegetable.  

Dick and Judy remained determined to raise Rick themselves, and soon realized he was aware of his surroundings when they noticed Rick's eyes following movement around him. Wanting to have their son included in the mainstream, they later took on the uphill battle of placing him in public school. The idea was met with great opposition since he couldn't speak, and therefore school authorities felt he couldn't understand.

Not ones to give up so easily, Judy and Dick remained determined, and taught Rick the alphabet. Later, engineers at Tuffs University realized he had great comprehension skills as he laughed at a joke they had told him. They knew then, Rick was quite aware of all that was going on around him.

The engineers set to work. They built an interactive computer for Rick which allowed him to communicate using slight head movements. Letters filled the screen, and when the appropriate one was highlighted, Rick hit a switch with the side of his head.

When the computer was brought home, Rick didn't simply spell "Hi Mom". He surprised everyone with "Go Bruins", since unbeknown to his family, he'd been following the Stanley Cup finals that season. It was then, Rick's family discovered that he loved sports.

Rick was admitted to public school in 1975, and two years later, he told Dick that he wanted to take part in a benefit run for a lacrosse player who had been disabled in an accident. His dad agreed to push his son's wheelchair the five miles, though Dick was in no shape for a marathon. They finished next to last, but Dick realized how happy Rick was to be participating.

From then on, Dick and Rick took part in more events as the "Hoyt Team". As they had in other areas of their lives, they at first encountered resistance, but when they finished in the top quarter of the field in the 1981 Boston Marathon, attitudes began to change.

The Hoyt's took on their first triathlon after running marathons for four years. Triathlons typically include a 26.2 mile run, 112 miles of biking, and a 2.4 mile swim. It meant that Dick had to learn to do the latter, and needed other training as well, since he hadn't been on a bicycle since he was a child.

With continued determination, a bike built to carry two people instead of one, and a small, stable boat tied to Dick's waist as he swam, he pushed and pulled his son in the triathlon on Father's Day, 1985. They finished second to last, but it was still a triumph to the dedicated Hoyt Team.

Since then, the father and son team from Massachusetts has competed for more than 25 years, crossing hundreds of finish lines. They also traversed 3,735 miles across America together.

Inspired by his father's will, Rick completed high school, and went on to graduate from Boston University in 1993 with a degree in Special Education. Another Boston Marathon followed a few weeks later, and people along the course were wishing Rick and his father luck, and were holding congratulatory signs of Rick's graduation.

Rick is now working at the Boston College. He is helping to develop "Eagle Eyes" in the computer laboratory there, which is a system to aid the paralyzed by enabling them to control mechanical aids with movements of the eyes.

The Hoyt Team has inspired many to overcome their physical limitations and forge ahead, from people born with severe handicaps, to another who suffered serious injuries to his leg and arm. The latter trained and competed in triathlons while keeping the image of Dick Hoyt before him.

Rick and Dick Hoyt have helped clear the way, making the road a little smoother for the physically challenged, and have touched and motivated those fortunate enough to be born whole. Their "Can Do" message should be an inspiration to all. This wonderful family, who refused to be put off by extreme adversity, is a supreme example of steadfast determination of the human spirit.