Page 6 - 50 American Heroes Every Kid Should Meet (2nd Revised Edition)

Team Hoyt

DICK (FATHER): JUNE 1, 1940–

RICK (SON): JANUARY 10, 1962–

Father and Son
Superathletes
RUNNERS
PIONEERS
HUMANITARIANS

Y ES YOU CAN!

When Rick Hoyt was fifteen years old, he
wanted to take part in a 5-mile (8 km) benefit
run to help a young person who had been in
an accident. Rick shared his wish with his dad,
who agreed to do everything he could to help Dick Hoyt (left) and his son Rick posed for this
Rick make it happen. For many teenagers a run photo before a race in Holland, Massachusetts, on
like this wouldn’t be such a big deal. But Rick May5,2010.
was born with cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is a
brain disorder that affects muscles and the way
people move. Rick couldn’t walk or speak. But POWER WORDS!
that didn’t stop Rick and his dad, Dick, from “Dad, when I’m running,
dreaming big. Dick would serve as his son’s legs
in the 5-mile run, pushing Rick to the finish line it feels like I’m not

in a wheelchair.
Facing challenges head-on was nothing new handicapped.” — Rick Hoyt
to the Hoyts. Rick has cerebral palsy because
his umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck
during birth. The cord interfered with Rick’s special computer made that allowed Rick to
airflow and injured his brain. communicate, unlocking the smart boy inside.
Many people doubted that Rick would ever He went on to graduate from high school before
live a productive life. Doctors advised that Dick attending Boston University. He graduated in
and his wife, Judy, put Rick into a long-term care 1993 with a degree in special education.
facility. He would spend his life in a hospital. Their spirit of accomplishment and
But his parents always knew that an intelligent, tenacity kept Rick and his dad going when they
capable person was living inside a body that was completed their first 5-mile run. At the time,
holding him back. they had no idea that they were beginning a
Rick and Judy fought to make it possible long, inspiring journey. They became known as
for Rick to attend public school. They had a Team Hoyt, and YES YOU CAN! became their

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