HOYT FOUNDATION INC wrote -

Rick Hoyt was born in 1962 to Dick and Judy Hoyt.  During child birth, Rick's umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck cutting off the supply of oxygen to Rick's brian.  He was diagnosed as a spastic quadriplegic with cerebral palsy.  Doctors advised Dick and Judy to institutionalize Rick because he was a vegetable.  Dick and Judy refused and brought Rick home.

Dick and Judy could tell that Rick could comprehend his surroundings even though the medical doctors continued to insist Rick was a vegetable.  In 1972, the Hoyt's took a second mortgage on their home, borrowing $5,000.  They paid that amount to a group of skilled engineers at Tufts University that built an "interactive computer" for Rick.  Rick was able to see the letters of the alphabet and select the ones he wanted by pressing a pad on the headrest of his wheelchair with his head, the only part of his body he can move voluntarily.  The first words Rick ever "spoke" were "Go Bruins!"  The Boston Bruins were in the Stanley Cup that year and it turned out Rick was a Bruins fan.

In the spring of 1977, Rick told his dad that he wanted to compete in a 5 mile road race to help raise money for a lacrosse player who had been paralyzed in an accident.  Dick, a non-runner pushed Rick for the full 5 miles, and they finished next to last.  Later that night, Rick typed "Dad, when I'm running, it feels like I'm not handicapped."  And that is when it all started.

To date, Team Hoyt has finished 240 triathlons, 6 Ironman distance triathlons, 92 half marathons, 69 marathons, 32 Falmouth 7.1 milers, have a marathon PR of 2:40:47 and half marathon PR of 1:21:12.  They are two of only 25 total members of the Ironman Hall of Fame, carried the Olympic torch in 1996 and rode a bike from Santa Monica, CA to Boston Harbor in 40 consecutive days.

Last August, the Hoyt's received an e-mail from Boston Bruins' defenseman Andrew Ference that read, "I wanted to let you know that the Boston Bruins watched and were inspired by your video prior to our Stanley Cup victory.  It would be my honor to meet you and have you join me in Boston during my day with the Stanley Cup."  And they did.

On Monday, April 16, 2012, Dick and Rick Hoyt will be running their 30th Boston Marathon.  They will be joined by a team of 40 carefully selected athletes from Australia, Canada and across the United States to form the 2012 Team Hoyt Boston Marathon Team.  The team will be runningt to raise money for the Hoyt Foundation, Inc., an IRS 501(c)(3) charity whose purpose is help integrate handicapped people into everyday activities so they may live fruitful and productive lives.

None of the funds raised go to administration of the Hoyt Foundation as it is 100% run by volunteers.  The Hoyt Foundation gives gifts each year of $25,000 to the Easter Seals summer camp programs and $25,000 to Children's Hospital-Boston for the Augmentative Communications Enhancement Program.

This years team is made possible by our generous sponsor and principal sponsor of the Boston MArathon, John Hancock.  We are very fortunate to be coached again this year by three time Boston Marathon Champion, former No. 1 ranked marathoner in the world, New York City Marathon Champion, Berlin Marathon Champion and former world record holder Uta Pippig.

Our team of both qualified and chairty runners have set a fundraising goal of $200,000 which would eclipse our former record by $75,000.  Please give generously as our runners train, sweat, hurt and raise funds for the Hoyt Foundation, Inc.  The Hoyt Foundation, Inc. is an IRS 501(c)(3) charity.  Checks can be made payable to the Hoyt Foundation, Inc. and mailed to 241 Mashapaug Road, Holland, Massachusetts 01521.

Tammy says:  If you haven't done so already I ask you to donate to this worthy cause. Donate because you believe in Team Hoyt's "Yes you can!" attitude. Donate because you believe it is possible for the disabled to reach their full potential. Donate because you love to run. Donate because you one day hope to cross the Boston Marathon finish line. Donate because you have been blessed with healthy and able children. Whatever the reason I hope that you feel inspired to give to The Hoyt Foundation.  For mor T 

To read my personal story please visit http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1007553-tammy-stapleton-yes-you-can-meet-the-team-hoyt-2012-marathon-team 

Thank you for your continued support!

All the best,

Tammy