Dick Hoyt’s son Rick can’t walk or talk. Rick convinced his dad to push him in his wheelchair in a 5 mile race, he told his dad that he didn’t feel handicapped when they were competing. Below is the story that appeared in Sports Illustrated, June 2005 witten by Rick Reilly.
"Strongest Dad in the World"
I try to be a good father. Give my kids mulligans. Work nights to pay for their text messaging. Take them to swimsuit shoots.But compared with Dick Hoyt, I suck.
Eighty-five times he’s pushed his disabled son, Rick, 26.2 miles in marathons. Eight times he’s not only pushed him 26.2 miles in a wheelchair but also towed him 2.4 miles in a dinghy while swimming and pedaled him 112 miles in a seat on the handlebars–all in the same day.
Dick’s also pulled him cross-country skiing, taken him on his back mountain climbing and once hauled him across the U.S. on a bike. Makes taking your son bowling look a little lame, right?
And what has Rick done for his father? Not much–except save his life.
This love story began in Winchester, Mass., 43 years ago, when Rick was strangled by the umbilical cord during birth, leaving him brain-damaged and unable to control his limbs.
“He’ll be a vegetable the rest of his life,” Dick says doctors told him and his wife, Judy, when Rick was nine months old. “Put him in an institution.”
But the Hoyts weren’t buying it. They noticed the way Rick’s eyes followed them around the room. When Rick was 11 they took him to the engineering department at Tufts University and asked if there was anything to help the boy communicate.
“No way,” Dick says he was told. “There’s nothing going on in his brain.”
“Tell him a joke,” Dick countered. They did. Rick laughed. Turns out a lot was going on in his brain.”
Dick and Rick's story is one of not only courage, determination but most of all a story of love. The unconditional love a father has for his son. A love a son has for his father and the bond they have for each other because of this love.
I saw this story over three years ago, yet every time I watch it again I am inspired. Not only to be a better parent but to be a better person. To look in the mirror everyday and count my blessings. To realize that you can love someone so much that you would do anything for them....
Dick Hoyt demonstrates all that is good in humanity...all that is good in a father and friend. When you talk about a "love story" I think this one should be at the top of the list. Dick competes not for himself but for the love of his son and a chance to give him an opportunity to feel free from his disability. He is one of the most caring and compassionate men I have ever read of.
Pull up a chair, watch this amazing video of "Tea, Hoyt" and one of the greatest love stories ever told. When you wonder what true love is.....look no further than this remarkable story.
May you too be inspired.
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