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COMMENTS ON THIS BILLBOARD

Jun 7, 2008

>> I have found my role as a Father has been renewed and redefined by your amazing life story. GO TEAM HOYT! Jason P., California, USA

Jun 4, 2008

>> I saw this billboard over the weekend in CT and was so exciting. You're story is truly inspiring. Everyone should follow the examples you two continue to set. Elizabeth, Quincy, MA

Mar 23, 2008

>> I've studied Team Hoyt for homework but what I've got out of it is more than an A+. This is amazing, it makes life worth living. Alexandra, Ontario, Canada

Mar 21, 2008

>> Rick and I were friends in jr. high and high school. Rick sat behind me our high school home room for 4 years. He never mentioned his marathon acheivements to me. I found out about that later on TV and in magazines. Rick aways had smile on his face and a laugh to share. I drove by a billboard quickly today and recognized him immediatly. I drove around to see it again. You go Rick! Sally H, Westfield, MA

Jan 29, 2008

>> I am so inspired and touched by the love and devotion shown in this picture. Is there anything stronger than the love of a parent? Miranda C., Baltimore, Maryland USA

Nov 7, 2007

>> Such a touching story makes me proud to be a Hoyt. Godspeed to you, Rick and Dick. A. Hoyt, Seattle, Washington USA

Oct 27, 2007

>> Wonderful and what a great love between father and son! I love it. Bunmi T., Nigeria

Oct 19, 2007

>> I saw the Hoyts on 60 Minutes or Dateline this past year and the dedication of this father and this family is so inspiring and touching, it made me cry. We are so fortunate in Chicago to have the "Team Hoyt" billboards downtown as a beautiful reminder of the kindness which propels unconditional love. The Hoyts are my HEROES! Jen M., Chicago, Illinois USA

Oct 12, 2007

>> What an inspiration to all of mankind! Dedication, devotion, and love...it is truly breathtaking their devotion to each other. This proves that with effort any obstacle can be overcome. Congratulations Rick and Dick! Amy M., Clinton, Wisconsin USA

Oct 8, 2007

>> God bless you for your courage, trust and integrity to show all of us what love is. My gratitude to both of you for these gifts to bless our world with. Joy to you both. Trudy G., Calgary, Canada

Sep 22, 2007

>> You guys are amazing keep up the good work. Kelsie Lee B., Straw Plains, Tennessee USA

Sep 19, 2007

>> This is a great billboard and really shows what some people and all people should do for eachother. Samantha J., Harvard, Massachusetts USA

Sep 18, 2007

>> How wonderful of a dad to do this for a son. They both should be so proud of themselves, and each other=) Keep up the great work guys you make an awesome team. Middle School, New York, USA

Sep 17, 2007

>> Wow this is a great story. So inspiring keep up the good work Team Hoyt! Sunny, Laguna Beach, California USA

Sep 16, 2007

>> This is truly remarkable and source of great inspiration. Aftab, A.P., India

Sep 10, 2007

>> My brother participated in the Iron Man triathlon in the Sunapee Mountains in New Hampshire for several years and I personally had the privledge of seeing this dynamic duo swim, bike and run. It's a grueling effort for anyone to attempt. It was also one of the greatest joys I have ever had...to see Team Hoyt, my brother and the rest of the participants cross the finish line. They truly inspire all who meet them. Thank you for including them in your efforts. Joann M., Pennsauken, New Jersey USA

Sep 8, 2007

>> I take care of the TEAMHoyt Racing web site and you would think that dealing with this would get me use to it ... I still get lump in my throat and tears in my eyes thinking about the love and devotion. I'm still WOW'd ... Bless them both. Zrain, San Diego, California USA

>> Saw this billboard at the Frankfurt airport and then saw the story of Hoyts on TV. Inspired me to bring such devotion into my relationships. Thank you guys for spreading this message. Satish T., Bangalore, India

>> Wonderful Story. Great teamwork...Very inspiring!! Sorgz R., Philippines

Aug 20, 2007

>> Without love life has no meaning. We must love one another and when we do, all things are possible for us. Joseph O., Congo, Africa

Aug 17, 2007

>> Inspirational story. I stopped the car to get the website off the billboard. AMAZING. Mary Beth G., Norwich, Connecticut USA

Aug 9, 2007

>> Saw the Hoyts in a documentary about Ironman 2006.I just cried and cried. They both are great souls.I was very happy to see them here. Chandan R, Silver Spring,MD

Aug 8, 2007

>> The eyes of love and opportunity come by making one step at a time in the right direction. What a great story both of you have to tell. G. Smith, Ogden, Utah USA

Aug 1, 2007

>> A tribute to the power of love. Lesley H., United Kingdom

Jul 28, 2007

>> This shows both love and devotion Thejas G, Nashik. India

Jul 20, 2007

>> To be disabled, does not mean we are not able, as Rick and his Daddy proved. Mbaraka A, Ifakara Tanzania

Jul 16, 2007

>> This is an AMAZING father/son team. i am so inspired by their story. they are a great example of never giving up in times of trouble. Keep up the good work! God Bless! Jenna H., chicago, illinois, USA

Jul 13, 2007

>> Devotion like this isn't seen very much. Thanks for providing such a wonderful example. Dr. Rachelle L., Aurora, CO

>> What a dad. An inspiration for all of us, parents and the childless. It helps me believe that it is possible "...to leave the world a little bit better...(Emerson). This Dad has made the world a better place not only for his son but for all he inspires in the rest of us. Marie S., Fort Drum, NY

Jul 10, 2007

>> This is what we all should do. Loving one another not just because they are our relatives or something, it is because we just love them. Zandra M., Phillipines

>> This is simply marvelous! Keep going! My very best wishes to you! K Ganjoo, India

Jul 9, 2007

>> Great going, Team Hoyt! I am the mother of a 24 year old, autistic young man and you guys simply add to the pride and love I already feel. God Bless! Brenda K., Birmingham, AL

>> I remember watching these two people on TV...and all I had to say was WOW. Thanks for making this AWESOME team part of your campaign. Leonel M., San Francisco

>> Your story is truly inspirational. Thank you for sharing it with the world! Melissa P, Grand Rapids, MI

>> Very Inspiring. Everybody should read their story. Ben M, Peachtree City, Georgia USA

>> Beautiful Jeremy M., Brighton, UK

Jul 8, 2007

>> The Hoyts make me smile through my tears. Amy T., Arlington, Massachusetts USA

Jul 7, 2007

>> Thank you for this billboard. My own 9 year old son has DMD. He is already in a wheelchair and the prognosis is not good, but we are fighters and have put all our time and energy into helping the MDA for his sake. Thank you again for this inspiration and devotion. Clint L, Rochester, New York USA

Jun 25, 2007

>> Thank you very mucho you guys thank you for letting us see that we can overcome everything Letty L, Mexico City, Mexico

Jun 23, 2007

>> This is love. Wendy G., Pennsylvania, USA

ADD YOUR OWN COMMENT

The doctors told Dick Hoyt that his infant son Rick should be institutionalized. There was no hope, they said, of Rick being anything more than a vegetable.

Four decades later, Rick and Dick Hoyt have competed over 65 marathons, 206 triathlons and hundreds of other events as a father-son team. Rick, whose father was told he was incapable of intellectual activity, graduated from Boston University in 1993. The devotion of this remarkable pair to each other and their goals has enabled them both to accomplish things that neither would have done alone.

During Rick's birth in 1962, the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck, cutting off oxygen to his brain. Rick is a spastic quadriplegic, has cerebral palsy, and is unable to speak. Despite the doctors' grim prognosis, Dick and his wife Judy raised him at home and struggled to get him admitted to public schools.

Though Rick could not speak, his parents knew that he was just as intelligent as his siblings. Dick convinced a group of engineers from Tufts University to build a "communicator" for his son. By hitting a switch with the side of his head, Rick selects letters to form words and sentences.

Rick was attending public school two years later, when a five-mile benefit run was held for a local lacrosse player who had been paralyzed in an accident. Rick wanted to participate. Dick was not a runner, but agreed to push Rick in his wheelchair. During the run, Rick felt as though he simply wasn't handicapped anymore - he was just one of the runners. Wanting to give Rick this feeling as often as possible, Dick ran in an increasing number of events with his son.

As "Team Hoyt" began competing in earnest in the late 1970s, they were often treated as outsiders and avoided by other competitors. What began as a way for Rick Hoyt to experience inclusion and equality broadened. It became a way to send a message that, as Rick said, "everybody should be included in everyday life." The duo's first Boston Marathon in 1981 yielded a finish in the top quarter of the field, and attitudes began changing. "In the beginning no one would come up to me," recalled Rick. Now, he says, "many athletes will come up to me before the race or triathlon to wish me luck."

Dick has ran, ridden and swam literally thousands of miles to be with and support his son. This has enabled Rick to live a full and purposeful life - but it turns out that, in a way, Rick has saved his father's life as well. After a mild heart attack, Dick's doctors told him that he may have died 15 years ago if he weren't in such good shape.

Team Hoyt's total commitment to each other and to what they do ensures that they are constantly challenging themselves. In addition to their athletic events, the Hoyts tour the country to speak about their experiences. They have also established the Hoyt Fund, which is supports educational and technological efforts surrounding persons with disabilities. They anticipate running their 26th Boston Marathon in April.