Personal Narrative: Team Hoyt Father Of The Century

Rachna Shah
Upon regarding the first clip, “Team Hoyt- Father of the Century”, a feeling of awe struck me. My eyes welled up to see the undying love of a father for his disabled child. To the father Dick, his son Rick (who has cerebral palsy- this happens when a child does not receive enough oxygen at birth or fetal stroke- which leaves the child with stiff muscles or affect one limb or the whole body) meant the world to him. I was so proud and overjoyed to see a father do so much for his son, helping his son- Rick lead as much a normal life as possible. In this day and age, where everyone is bound by the fetters of work, pressures of time, Rick’s father shows a sense of immense responsibility, passion, love, hard work and dedication to improve
his son’s life in the best way he possibly could. It is hard to find such a selfless parent who knows very well that though the prognosis of cerebral palsy is bleak, he must never give up his quest in making his son enjoy what his other normal siblings were experiencing. Dick gave his son unconditional love, unsurpassed care and unparalleled attention. Rick is indeed very fortunate and blessed to have a father like Dick. I was also amazed when the communication device helped Rick express his thoughts and feelings; Rick was even able to go to school. Never for a moment did the father feel embarrassed in caring or helping his child.
It made me feel good that Rick received so much care.
Every child deserves nothing but the best, but in real life many parents are so engrossed in their personal life, their work, and their interests that they do not have or do not make time for their children. Especially in regards to Rick, who needs so much special care, his father sacrificed his joys, his life and even ran marathons. He is indeed a dad worth idolizing. When Rick found from his school that there was a marathon for a paralyzed child and expressed this to his father, his father who had never run took this challenge, attempted and accomplished this just to make his son’s wish come true. The father must have endured so much training, hard work and effort to participate in a marathon and then later a triathlon. One can see Rick’s flailing hands, gleaming eyes and a broad smile at the finishing line- a feeling of pride, joy and achievement, both for the father and the onlookers, this made me feel that dedication, inspiration and motivation are the basic tenets that made this feat possible. I feel that in this video there is so much to learn and pass on to all the parents out there. One should not give up hope against the odds in life; this video proves the age old adage “Where there is a will, there is a Way”. Dick has proved and has taken upon him to give nothing but the best to his son
Rick.
After watching both the clips, the inspirational message that I experienced was – a disability does not mean that the world is limited, one has to go out- reach and do ones’ very best and beyond to achieve the impossible.
In any other scenario like Rick, a parent may take basic care, but also consider giving up a child to an institution for further care because this is hard work, this could lead to a burn out, this could meant that all that life would entail would only be sacrifices, however Dick proved that in spite of the million sacrifices that he endured, he was able to give his son Rick all the very best. It is not a feeling of instant gratification; instead it is a unique joy that touches only the heart of those who give truly. Money does not buy love, money does not buy care, and money does not build bonds- only a father like Dick- exemplifies true fatherhood. This video is very inspiring and many people in similar situations may understand and learn that life is about giving and not expecting anything. Dick did everything for his son knowing very well that Rick would not be able to do anything in return but Dick lives with the satisfaction of making his son- his child- experience and enjoy the true beauty of the
world.