Dick Hoyt pairs with Don Yaeger (Four-time New York Times bestselling author and long-time associate editor of Sports Illustrated) in this new inspirational book detailing the events which created the inseparable bond between him and his son, Rick, resulting in their true life mission statement: "Yes You Can!"
Devoted: The Story of a Father's Love for His Son
Born a spastic quadraplegic, Rick Hoyt was written off by numerous doctors. They advised his parents, Dick and Judy, to put their firstborn son in an institution. But Rick's parents refused. Determined to give their son every opportunity that "normal" kids had, they made sure to include Rick in everything they did, especially with their other two sons, Rob and Russ.
But home was one thing, the world at large, another. Repeatedly rebuffed by school administrators who resisted their attempts to enroll Rick in school, Rick's mother worked tirelessly to help pass a landmark bill, Chapter 766, the first special-education reform law in the country. As a result, Rick and other physically disabled kids were able to attend public school in Massachusetts.
But how would Rick communicate when he couldn't talk? To overcome this daunting obstacle, Dick and Judy worked with Dr. William Crochetiere, then chairman of the engineering department at Tufts University, and several enterprising graduate students, including Rick Foulds, to create the Tufts Interactive Communication device (TCI). In the Hoyt household, it became known as the "Hope machine," as it enabled Rick to create sentences by pressing his head against a metal bar. For the first time ever, Rick was able to communicate.
Then one day Rick asked his dad to enter a charity race, but there was a twist. Rick wanted to run too. Dick had never run a race before, but more challenging still, he would have to push his son's wheelchair at the same time. But once again, the Hoyts were determined to overcome whatever obstacle was put in their way. Picture: Dick Hoyt pushing his son, Rick, in their first Boston Marathon (1981).
Read in depth, personal stories from Dick Hoyt - relating to his personal life, as well as the 1000 plus races he and Rick have done together in the last 30 years. The new book includes never seen before photos of the pair.
Team Hoyt is an inspirational story of a father, Dick Hoyt, and his son, Rick, who compete together in marathons and triathlons across the country. Their story has inspired millions of people and will continue to do so. If you haven't heard of them or seen their story, you need to check it out, visit their website www.teamhoyt.com or search YouTube.
You can buy "Devoted: The Story of a Father's Love For His Son" from the Team Hoyt webiste or via Amazon.com
