Devoted Father And Quadriplegic Son Inspired Many By Running Through More Than 1,000 Races

Aug 09, 2022 by apost team

Each parent hopes that their children will grow up without any complications. They are excited by their children's physical and mental milestones throughout their early years. Fathers often eagerly await the day they can teach their children how to play sports.

While this goal may be easily obtained by most parents and children, some are born with challenges that require a little more attention and effort. Loving parents will go to extreme lengths to ensure that their child can live a happy and normal life despite any present challenges. Dick Hoyt fell into this category.

Rick Hoyt, Dick's son, was brought into the world in 1962. Tragically, Rick's brain didn't receive enough oxygen due to some complications around the time of his birth. As a result, doctors diagnosed him with cerebral palsy and spastic quadriplegia. Some people suggested to Rick's parents that they should institutionalize their kid due to CP's irreversibility.

Instead, the couple did everything in their power to give their child a normal life. They helped him learn the alphabet, they helped him participate in activities like swimming and sledding, and his parents even worked on finding a solution to help him communicate. With the help of an interactive computer, Rick could finally communicate. The first thing he said was "Go Bruins!" which confirmed for his father that Rick had a love for sports.

Dick was a dedicated father who ran in over 1,000 races while pushing his son's wheelchair, including the Boston Marathon. He was and continues to be an inspiration to all parents and anyone who admires triumph over adversity. Dick passed away in his sleep in March 2021, but we are taking the time to remember all the good he did, especially for his son. Keep reading to learn more. 

In 1977, Rick's father joined him on a benefit run. Even though Dick wasn't a runner, he ran behind his son, pushing him in his wheelchair. This ignited their passion, and the tandem continued to participate in races regularly and even biked and ran across the US for 45 days and 3,735 miles. The duo even participated in triathlons with the help of some special aids. Rick and his father finished over 1,000 races after four decades. 

Dick ran for his son because Rick loved it and told him so after their first race together. Dick said to ABC News in a previous interview: 

"When we got home that night, Rick wrote on his computer, 'Dad, when I'm running, it feels like my disability disappears.' So that was a very powerful message to me."

The incredible father stayed in great shape throughout his life so he could continue running with his son, and he lived to be 80 years old. In 2005, Dick told ABC in the same interview: "I'm amazed, yes, at what I'm doing. I'm running faster now when I'm 60 years old than when I was 18 years old." 

Dick always put the spotlight on Rick because he wanted to show the world how wonderful his son is. "I think that Rick has, you know, really made me fulfill my life as a father," he said. "What's the secret? Just having a great son, I guess." 

We will always remember Dick for the sacrifices he made for his son's happiness and for Rick to have a chance at a full life. He is an inspiration to fathers everywhere.

apost.com

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