At birth, Rick Hoyt was diagnosed as a “spastic quadriplegic with cerebral palsy”. His parents Dick and Judy Hoyt were told that there was little chance for Rick to live a “normal life”. This didn’t deter them from doing their best to include Rick in everyday activities.
Rick told his father that he wanted to participate in a 5-mile benefit run for a Lacrosse player who had been paralyzed in an accident. Far from being a long-distance runner, Dick agreed to push Rick in his wheelchair and they finished all 5 miles, coming in next to last. That night, Rick told his father, “Dad, when I’m running, it feels like I’m not handicapped.”
And that was how Team Hoyt began.
Those words were the beginning of their lifelong journey of over 1000 races including marathons, triathlons and even ironman triathlons. In 1989 they formed The Hoyt Foundation which “aspires to build the individual character, self-confidence and self-esteem of America’s disabled young people through inclusion in all facets of daily life; including in family and community activities, especially sports, at home, in schools, and in the workplace.”
Keep running and inspiring us, Rick and Dick!
Learn more about Team Hoyt
