The Sweeney Agency

About Dick Hoyt – Inspirational Speaker on Overcoming Adversity

Dick Hoyt strives to educate the public about people living with disabilities through inspirational speaking engagements. In 1962 when Dick and his wife Judy welcomed their new son Rick, they discovered that as a result of oxygen deprivation to Rick's brain at the time of his birth, he was a spastic quadriplegic with cerebral palsy. Dick and Judy were advised to institutionalize Rick because there was no chance of him recovering, and little hope for Rick to live a normal life. This was just the beginning of Dick and Judy's quest for Rick's inclusion in community, sports, education and one day, the workplace.

Dick and Judy soon realized that though Rick couldn't walk or speak; he was quite astute and his eyes would follow them around the room. They fought to integrate Rick into the public school system, pushing administrators to see beyond Rick's physical limitations. Dick and Judy would take Rick sledding and swimming, and even taught him the alphabet and basic words, like any other child. After providing concrete evidence of Rick's intellect and ability to learn like everyone else, Dick and Judy needed to find a way to help Rick communicate for himself.

With $5,000 in 1972 and a skilled group of engineers at Tufts University, an interactive computer was built for Rick. This computer consisted of a cursor being used to highlight every letter of the alphabet. Once the letter Rick wanted was highlighted, he was able to select it by just a simple tap with his head against a head piece attached to his wheelchair. When the computer was originally first brought home, Rick surprised everyone with his first words. Instead of saying, Hi, Mom, or Hi, Dad, Rick's first spoken words were: Go, Bruins! The Boston Bruins were in the Stanley Cup finals that season. It was clear from that moment on, that Rick loved sports and followed the game just like anyone else.

In 1975, at the age of 13, Rick was finally admitted into public school. After high school, Rick attended Boston University, and he graduated with a degree in Special Education in 1993. Dick retired in 1995 as a Lt. Colonel from the Air National Guard, after serving his country for 37 years.

In the spring of 1977, 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.

This realization was just the beginning of what would become over 1,000 races completed, including marathons, duathlons and triathlons (6 of them being Ironman competitions). Also adding to their list of achievements, Dick and Rick biked and ran across the U.S. in 1992, completing a full 3,735 miles in 45 days.

When Team Hoyt competes in triathlons, Dick will pull Rick in a boat with a bungee cord attached to a vest around his waist and to the front of the boat for the swimming stage. For the biking stage, Rick will ride a special two-seater bicycle, and then Dick will push Rick in his custom made running chair (for the running stage).

Rick was once asked, if he could give his father one thing, what would it be? Rick responded, The thing I'd most like is for my dad to sit in the chair and I would push him for once.

The 2009 Boston Marathon was officially Team Hoyt's 1000th race. Rick always says if it comes down to doing one race a year he would like it to be the Boston Marathon: his favorite race. Dick Hoyt hopes that when he is 70 years old he will be able to push Rick in the 2011 Boston Marathon. Neither Dick or Rick are ready to retire yet.

Dick's book Devoted — The Story of a Father's Love For His Son details the events which created the inseparable bond between Dick and his son, Rick, resulting in their true life mission statement: Yes You Can!

What Dick Hoyt Talks About:

One of the many ways Team Hoyt strives to educate the public about people living with disabilities is through inspirational speaking engagements.

Dick Hoyt has prepared a one hour multimedia presentation about his story with his son, Rick, and how they continue to participate in marathons and triathlons all over the country.

Dick's message has been delivered to all different types of audiences from students to athletes, to huge corporations. Regardless of the size of the group or the industry they work in, the message is universal: Yes You Can!

Team Hoyt is simply a story of hope and working hard for what you believe in.