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Getting To Know Rick Hoyt

Slideshow: How The Hoyts Got Started

(CBS4) It's just three weeks until the Boston Marathon, and this year marks a very special occasion. It will be the 25th time the team of Dick and Rick Hoyt run the race. CBS4 is the only television news station following the Hoyts as they train for their historic run. This story is a conversation with Rick Hoyt, a man who can't speak the way most of us do, but is worth listening to.

Rick says, "I am a sexy, intelligent 44 year old single male who doesn't mind that he needs help with daily living activities. Just look at what I have accomplished in my life so far."

Rick Hoyt's accomplishments have been massive. He and his father are towering figures on the Marathon course.

Cerebral Palsy robbed Rick of Physical abilities, but his mind is sharp and he "speaks" by controlling a computer with subtle head motions, tapping a mouse and spelling out his thoughts. "What I think is important is for people to take the time and effort to realize that first and foremost I am a person with a brain and intelligence," says Rick. A speech synthesizer gives Rick a "voice." "I didn't want people to look at me and feel sorry for me because of my disabilities because, believe me, I didn't feel sorry for myself, so why should they," says Rick.

Though doctors advised his parents to institutionalize Rick, they raised him as normally as possible and fought for inclusion. "I have been on top of many mountains while hiking. I also like to swim, obviously with the help of someone, and I have even been cross country skiing with my Dad pulling me on a sled," according to Rick.

Rick also graduated from Boston University. "This has been my greatest personal accomplishment to date because I have shown to disabled people that they don't have to sit back and watch the world go by," says Rick.

And then there are the Marathons. Sixty-four of them around the world and over 200 triathlons. According to Rick, "When I am competing my disability seems to disappear. In other words, I just feel free as a bird."

Rick lives by himself in an apartment in Brighton with the help of personal care assistants and the love of his father. "I am fully aware of everything that goes on around me and if someone takes the time to get to know me they will realize I am no different than anyone else, other than the fact that I will not beat you in a foot race and you will never have to tell me to shut my mouth," says Rick.

So watch for the Hoyts on Marathon Monday and remember how far they have come, and how they take us all with them.

The Hoyts are dedicating their 25th Boston Marathon to raise money for Easter Seals, an organization that helps people with disabilities. If you would like more information about the Hoyts and how to support Easter Seals, log onto www.teamhoyt25.org. In coming weeks we'll follow the Hoyts as they prepare for their historic run, and of course you can see all the Marathon excitement on CBS4 news on April 17th.