This is the incredible story of Dick and Rick Hoyt, and their story will absolutely touch your heart. There are simply no words to convey how I felt after watching this video.
Ironman is the toughest triathlon in the world. The race involves three endurance events: a 2.4-mile ocean swim, a 112-mile bike ride and, finally, a 26.2-mile marathon along the coast of the Big Island, Hawaii.
In 1962, Dick and Judy Hoyt welcomed their son, Rick, who was diagnosed as a spastic quadriplegic with cerebral palsy. Doctors said Rick should be placed in an institution — but Dick refused. Instead, Rick was brought home where he enjoyed a full, rich life of swimming, street hockey and any and every kind of family activity. When Rick turned 12, thanks to a custom speech device, he was finally able to tell his dad how much he loved spending time with him.
A few years later, Rick heard about a five-mile race to benefit a paralyzed athlete. He told his father he wanted to participate to help others. And even though Dick was not a strong runner, his son's request was all the motivation he needed to participate in the race and push his son's wheelchair the full five miles. Over the course of the next 37 years, Rick and Dick went on to run in marathon after marathon, including six Ironmans — the story of which you're about to see.
One day, Rick typed to his father, "Dad, when I'm running it feels like my disability disappears."
The smile on his son's face at the end of this video was absolutely priceless. What an incredible father.
Please SHARE this truly inspirational video.
