With the proper motivation all of us are capable of incredible feats. Sometimes that motivation comes from within, but more often than not it is powered by someone else, someone close to our hearts. I recently had the good fortune of being exposed to such an individual through an email from a friend.

It’s a story about a father motivated by a son. Children have a way of motivating us to be better than what we are, better than who we may believe we are. They generally see their father as some sort of superhero with limitless power and ability to overcome anything and everything. It’s not wrong for them to believe so highly in us. Maybe it’s wrong for us not to. Not to at least try.

This is a story about “can” not “can’t.”

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. When Rick was nine months old the doctors told them that he would be a vegetable the rest of his life, there was nothing going on in his brain, and that eventually they would have to put him in an institution.

The Hoyt’s thought otherwise. They new there was something going on in Rick’s head by looking into his eyes. When Rick was 11 they took him to the engineering department at Tufts University and asked them if they could find away to help Rick communicate. They could and they did.

They designed a computer that allowed Rick to control the cursor by touching a switch with the side of his head. A high school classmate was paralyzed in an accident and the school organized a charity run for him, so Rick typed out, “Dad, I want to do that.”

Dick was overweight and out of shape, but decided to give it a try. They finished the five mile run in second to last place, but they finished. Something happened that day that changed Rick’s life and ultimately Dick’s life also. After the race Rick typed, “Dad, when we were running it felt like I wasn’t disabled anymore!”

Dick became obsessed with giving Rick that feeling as much as he possibly could. He got in good enough shape that they started running marathons and then triathlons. Eighty-five times he’s pushed Rick 26.2 miles in marathons. Eight times he’s competed in the Iron Man Triathlon where he towed him 3.2 miles in a boat while swimming, pedaled him 112 miles in a seat on the handlebars, and then pushed him 26.2 miles while running. All of this in one day.

They not only compete in these events but they finish in the top half with times that athletes pushing, pulling, and pedaling only themselves would be proud of. To truly appreciate “Team Hoyt” I ask you to experience “The Strongest Dad in the World.” It is incredible.

If Rick could have one wish what would it be? Rick types, “The thing I’d most like is that my Dad sit in the chair and I push him once.”

Go dig your cape out of the closet, the kids might need you.