Hero By: Devon Vernon

Dick Hoyt Dick Hoyt was born on June 1st 1940. During competition Dick pulls his son Rick in a special boat as they swim, carries him in a special seat in the front of a bicycle, and pushes him in a special wheelchair as they run. Team Hoyt began in 1977 when Rick became inspired by an article on racing he saw in a magazine. Dick Hoyt was not a runner and was nearly 37 years old. After their first race Rick said, “Dad, when I’m running, it feels like I’m not handicapped.” After their initial five mile run, Dick began running every day with a bag of cement in the wheelchair because Rick was at school and studying, unable to train with him.” As of February 2008, the Hoyts had competed in 958 endurance events, including 65 marathons and six Ironman triathlons. They had run the Boston Marathon 25 times.

Rick Hoyt Rick was born in 1962 to Dick and Judy Hoyt. As a result of oxygen deprivation to Rick's brain at the time of his birth, Rick was diagnosed as a spastic quadriplegic With cerebral palsy. In the spring of 1977, Rick told his father that he wanted to participate in a 5-mile benefit run for a Lacrosse player who had been paralyzed in an accident.

Describe a hero. Before I read this a hero to me was someone who saved lives. After reading this I realized a hero not only them but is also someone who stands up for you and helps you with things you could not do for yourself.

Lesson Learned Only those who have learned the power of sincere and selfless contribution experience life's deepest joy: true fulfillment Tony Robbins Challenges make life interesting, however, overcoming them is what makes life meaningful. Mark Twain

A real hero to me... A real hero to me would have to be my mom because of all the things she did and went threw. She kept our family together, our home, our horses, and much more all on her own. How she kept dad out of the house when he came home all messed up. She’s my hero because she raised four girls on her own and even though we really piss each other off some days we still get along.