What and Why

On April 19, 2010, I will run the Boston Marathon with Team Hoyt, the father-son team that are the roots of The Hoyt Foundation. I'm running because I believe in the message of Team Hoyt, "Yes You Can."  Even when it seems crazy or impossible, yes you can.  Please support me in this run of a lifetime - click "Sponsor Me Now" at the top of the page or read on for more information.

 

Thank You!

Many thanks for your support! Thank you to all who have donated so far and a special thanks to my offline donors:

Physical Sciences Inc.

Ana Racoveanu

Kim DeFusco

Anne Hagan

Linda Shorter

Chad Hardy

Gordon Sheet Metal

Philip & Luene Mulhall

Roberta Barbieri

Diane Geragosian

B. David Green

Deborah Sofia

Peter Nebolsine

 

About The Hoyt Foundation

The Hoyt Foundation strives to help those who are physically disabled become active members of the community.  Their activities include:

- The development of a curriculum at Boston Children's Museum, which teaches children what it is like to have a disability.
- Consultation to manufacturers on the development and construction of better equipment for people with disabilities.
- Donations made to Easter Seals of Massachusetts and other organizations, enabling disabled children to attend summer camp.
- Donations to therapeutic horseback riding organizations; enabling disabled individuals to take lessons.
- Donations of running chairs to groups that take disabled individuals for a run.

You can read more about the foundation's activities in the section to the left.  In case you haven't seen Rick & Dick personally, I encourage you to watch the videos below. This first video clip is from the Today Show in which Dick and Rick Hoyt were featured as “Today’s Heroes”:
http://www.teamhoyt.zrainmedia.com/videos/todays-heroes.htm

This second video clip is called “Together” and displays the incredible bond between this father and son. 
http://www.teamhoyt.zrainmedia.com/videos/together.htm

The reach of Team Hoyt is more than these videos.  It is more than the list of over 1000 races they have finished.  It is more than the list of what the foundation supports.  Together, Rick and Dick Hoyt inspire people of all abilities to challenge themselves, do more, do something different, do something difficult, push your own limits, and challenge expectations.  They inspire people to be better.  They inspire me to be better and push far beyond my limits.

But you?

If you have met me, then you know I'm odd. You might not know that my oddness is actually a mild developmental disability.   Starting with the recommendation of a doctor and then through a series of accidental encounters and advice, two years ago, I became a triathlete.  I learned that I like to race, even though I'm not likely to win. Training is hard and not without challenges, both normal and bizarre.  Now I'm running road races too, even though running is hard and I am still very slow. Why do I keep it up when I know I'm not going to win? Because just finishing a race is a victory for me.

Rick Hoyt once told his father, "Dad, when I'm running, it feels like I'm not handicapped." He's right. I get moments like that during a race. When I race,  I can only focus on what I'm doing and in that moment, I relax and there is peace in my little world.

Thanks to the Hoyt Foundation, I'm going to be "relaxing" for the whole Boston Marathon. Three years ago I wouldn't have considered it.  It's too much – too long, too many people, too big a deal, and I'm too slow.  But I'm willing to try hard with the support of the other runners, our terrific coach, Uta Pippig, and the support of friends and family.

 

Please Help

Please help me share that strange feeling of peace with other people.  Please help the Hoyt Foundation to enable people with physical disabilities to be active by making a contribution using this fundraising page.  Donations can be made two ways: You can donate through this secure web page by hitting the “SPONSOR ME NOW” button at the top or bottom of this page and follow the instructions accordingly. The other way is to send a check made payable to The Hoyt Foundation Inc and mail to my attention: Veronica Morris, 38 Greenfield Street, Lawrence, MA 01843.  

 

Thank You!

 

The Hoyt Foundation, Inc., is an IRS 501(c)(3) charitable organization. 

 

Photo from the Timberman Triathlon Sprint 2009.  That's me in black having been passed by Team Hoyt in the finish chute.  I had a personal best that day, but they still were much faster.