This person is my Superhero because...
The Hoyt Foundation helps people learn to integrate the physically challenged into everyday life.
Team Hoyt at a Glance (From Wikipedia)
Team Hoyt is a father (Dick Hoyt, b. ca. 1940) and son (Rick Hoyt, born January 10, 1962) from 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 pulls his son Rick in a special boat as they swim, carries him in a special seat up front as they bike, and pushes him in a special wheelchair as they run.
Doctors told his parents that Rick would live in a vegatative state, but his parents, with the help of Tufts University engineers, 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 August 31, 2008, Team Hoyt had participated in a total of 984 events, including 229 Triathlons (6 of which were Ironman competitions), 20 Duathlons, and 66 Marathons, including 26 Boston Marathons.Team Hoyt racing history They have also biked and run across the USA, in 1992 — a 3,735 mile journey that took them 45 days.
When asked what one thing Rick wished he could give his father, his reply was "The thing I'd most like is that my dad would sit in the chair and I would push him once."
Team Hoyt Homepage
Team Hoyt Photos on Flickr
In Denver, a billboard featuring Team Hoyt. Cool. For a little more informatio...
Team Hoyt in the News
- Team Hoyt makes 15th appearance at Feaster Five
- The irony is that long before Dick and Rick had the moniker, Team Hoyt, they had trouble finding takers. "When we first started running, nobody wanted ...
- Team Hoyt Helps Kick-Off Children's Hospital Boston, Miles for Miracles
- With each successive event where I am able to witness Dick and Rick Hoyt interact with a crowd, I become fearful that I'll eventually reach the bottom of my ...
- Triathlete Shows It's the Size of the Fight in the Dog
- I was introduced to Young by Dick and Rick Hoyt. While doing a story on the famed father/son triathlon duo, they shared an email that Young had previously ...
Team Hoyt in the Blogosphere
- Team Hoyt Helps Kick-Off Children's Hospital Boston, Miles for ...
- To learn more about Team Hoyt, please visit the Team Hoyt website. Todd Civin is a freelance writer for the Bleacher Report and Sports, Then and Now and does Public Relations for Team Hoyt. To contact him please email toddcivin1@aim.com ...
- Team Hoyt Helps To Kick Off Miles For Miracles Event
- Team Hoyt and John Costello of Children's Hospital Boston take a moment to pose at the Miles for Miracles Kick-off Event. With each successive event where I am able to witness Dick and Rick Hoyt interact with a crowd, I become fearful ...
- Get Out of Jail Free: Team Hoyt and the Father's love.
- Team Hoyt and the Father's love. You may have seen this DVD clip before. If not, you're in for a really special treat if you watch it. But.... can you imagine the immense privilege of watching this with a bunch of prisoners who are ...
A Team Hoyt Shirt & Triathalon Training Books
RunWorldwide.com Team Hoyt 26 Boston's T-shirt
Amazon Price: (as of 12/16/2009) 
Triathalons for Kids
Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 12/16/2009)
Triathlon Revolution: Training, Technique, and Inspiration (Mountaineers Outdoor Experts Series)
Amazon Price: $15.56 (as of 12/16/2009)
Is Team Hoyt Your Superheroes too?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byYou bet. Great pick.
Joan4 says:
For sure, they are among my superheroes! I love this story! It's a story of courage, love, honor, determination and strength of purpose! How proud they both must be!
Posted August 04, 2008
No. Please pass the peas.
Team Hoyt Links
If you have any suggestions
for this page
I'm looking for suggestions for more good articles, photos, videos, blog posts, etc about this person. Think of this like the "External Resources" part of a Wikipedia page. What references would you add about my superhero?
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Reply
- hanjee hanjee Feb 24, 2009 @ 7:05 am
- great story from two great people.. i always cry everytime i watch the video... i also featured them on my inspirational stories lens... 5* for this wonderful lens!
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Reply
- Joan4 Joan4 Aug 4, 2008 @ 4:13 pm
- Excellent lens! What a pair!
Looking for More Inspiration?
-Check Out This Motivational Sports Quotes Lens-
P.S. I made this lens for the Squidoo Superheroes Project
I was invited to participate in the Squidoo Superhero Project, making 5 lenses in 2 weeks about the people who have inspired me, mentored me, changed the way I look at the world. The people I just want to say a big loud public THANKS to.If you buy anything from this page, you'll automatically (for free, of course) be sending a royalty straight to the Squidoo Charity Fund, which pays out to nonprofits like JDRF and Room to Read and Donors Choose every month.
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