Hello Journal!
When I feel the drag of everyday, the sameness, the repetition, of still waiting to get to goal, feeling tired...in other words, when I forget to focus on all the things I have for which to feel GRATEFUL....I watch the video about the father and son team, Team Hoyt.
Dick and Judy Hoyt's son, Rick, was strangled by the umbilical cord during birth, leaving him brain-damaged and unable to control his limbs.
The doctors told them their son would be a vegetable the rest of his life, and to put him in an institution. They refused. They saw how his eyes followed them around the room, and as he grew older they kept looking for ways to help him.
They were finally able to get a computer that helped him communicate, and he told his father, an overweight self-described Porker, that he wanted them to run in a race together, the way he had seen a paralyzed schoolmate do with his father.
That is how it all began. The first race was 5 miles, and Dick did his best; he was sore for two weeks afterwards. But his life was forever changed when, after the race, his son typed out these words: "Dad,'' he typed, "when I'm running, it feels like I'm not handicapped!''
Dick became obsessed with giving his son that feeling as often as possible. He worked hard, and was finally in shape to run the Boston Marathon in 1981.
Since then, they have gone on to run 85 marathons!! And eight of those he has not only pushed Rick 26.2 miles in a wheelchair but also towed him 2.4 miles in a dingy while swimming, and pedaled him 112 miles in a seat on the handlebars--all in the same day for triathlons!
This loving Father has also pulled his son cross-country skiing, taken him on his back mountain climbing, and once hauled him across the U.S. on a bike.
For all the written details, you can read (here).
The video link at the above site is broken, but (here) is the link to the Team Hoyt site, where they have a good quality video. Break out the tissues.
I need to be reminded...I have seen it several times now...yet it always gets me.
From Dr Phil's book: "Get real with yourself."
7 comments:
Thank you Loretta for reminding me to get real today. I think I've been floating and I need to throw out the anchor and get stabilized. A good reality check.
Inspiring story.
Yes, we must count our blessings. We all have so many. To even have the choice about what we eat and to have to much is a blessing. So many wish they had that problem. It's one of the things I focused on to change my own attitude.
I love your upbeat posts, Loretta.
oh dear, I may be bawling my eyes out soon as I will head over there to see after I leave here.
You're so right, we have so much to be thankful for!!!
KAREN: I'm glad it helped...it did for me, too. :-)
MARY: Thank you!
NANCY: Yes, we do, and it helps me to be reminded often. :-)
Loretta
=^..^=
WOW! WOW! WOW!
I think I should also think you for helping me get real! Its so hard to think I have it so bad or such a hard road to travel when I see the triumph of something so remarkable!
Despite my weight and the trials ahead of me, I have so much to be grateful for.
Scarlet and {All}: I feel the same way you both do...Wow! and grateful. :-)
Loretta
=^..^=
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