Inspirational Story - Hoyt Family

Taken from here, and i cried watching the video :'(

Rick Hoyt cannot walk.

Instead, he climbs mountains, tears through finish lines at triathlons, speeds through marathons and treks thousands of miles across the country.

Rick Hoyt cannot talk.

Since birth, cerebral palsy has robbed him of the ability to control the majority of his muscles and limbs, including his vocal chords.

Instead, the 46-year-old Boston University graduate co-hosts a motivational speaking tour known for drawing crowds large enough to fill Fenway Park.

As the other half of "Team Hoyt" - arguably the most inspiring father-son long distance running team in sports - Rick Hoyt has dedicated his life to bulldozing stereotypes and challenging every assumed "can't" imposed by his disabilities.

For the last 25 years, his father, Dick Hoyt, has pushed, pulled and carried Rick, a quadriplegic, across more than 900 finish lines. Together the Massachusetts-based team has completed 224 triathlons, including six Ironman competitions; 66 marathons, including 26 Boston Marathons; a 45-day consecutive bike ride across the country; and hundreds of other grueling events.

When Dick runs, he pushes Rick in his wheelchair. When Dick cycles, he pulls Rick in a seat-pod attached to the front of his bicycle. When Dick swims, he hauls Rick behind him in a dinghy. When Dick mountain climbs he carries his son, who weighs about 115 pounds, on his back.

Still, at age 67, Dick continues to race weekly with Rick. In fact, the duo hasn't taken a break longer than two weeks since they joined their first race when Rick was 11 years old.

"I keep training and competing because (Rick) gets so much happiness out of it, and I get happiness just seeing him happy," Dick said.

When the duo isn't earning ribbons, they're sharing their story with audiences around the country.

On Wednesday at 7 p.m., Dick will speak at Trinity United Methodist Church in Gainesville. The presentation, which is free and open to the public, will focus on the "Team Hoyt" motto, "Yes you can."

Videos will showcase the pair plowing through finish lines far ahead of runners who aren't toting an extra hundred pounds.

In hopes of inspiring audience members to push through life's obstacles and changing negative attitudes toward the disabled, Dick will share how his son's unlikely ambition inspired more than two decades of physical achievements.

Rick, who communicates through a special computer built to respond to the subtle movements of his face and head, will also speak to the audience via DVD.

"It's a story about unconditional love and a testament to overcoming appearingly insurmountable obstacles," said Bill Gair, member of Trinity United Methodist Church who has participated in races with the Hoyts. "It's the stuff of legends."