Amazing People Monday: Dick and Rick Hoyt

Dick and Rick Hoyt

For the second Amazing People Monday I wanted to write about Dick and Rick Hoyt. This amazing father/son duo is an inspiration to read about. The two have completed in over a thousand races! This pair is amazing! The son, Rick, was born with spastic quadriplegic with cerebral palsy and doctors gave little hope that he would be able to live any kind of normal life. Many doctors thought he had no brain function going on. Well thankfully doctors are not always right. As it turns out Rick Hoyt is very smart and a huge fan of sports. As a hockey lover I have to say I appreciate that his first words were "Go Bruins!" because of Lord Stanley's Cup. The process so that Rick can speak requires him to spell out each word through a computer system designed by Tufts University. Since all of this Rick graduated from Boston University with a degree in Special Education. Talk about an inspiration! I am in the process of finishing my undergraduate degree and let me say I am inspired by Rick. What an awesome guy! According to their website Rick initially wanted to join in a run that was a support run for a paralyzed lacrosse player. I feel like he just has a heart of gold. Rick has done even more than this but you can research for yourself! 

Dick is incredible too. He served the United States of America for thirty seven years! On top of this Dick is very involved in his son's life. He has never believed the doctors who said Rick could not do things so many years ago. Dick has become a runner and an extremely impressive athlete in order to help Rick in meeting his goals and dreams. Dick pushes and pulls Rick in the marathons, iron man races and others. What an awesome thing. I can only imagine that doing those races together has bonded them in a amazing way. Dick has truly changed his life in order to help Rick in accomplishing racing goals. According to their website Dick was not a long distance runner at all before Rick inspired him to do so.

This guy deserves an awesome parent award. There are videos anyone can watch and a whole gallery of amazing photos. Personally when I need a bit of inspiration it sometimes helps me to go and see all the awesome things these two have done. This duo has truly challenged me. What a blessing! 

Amazing Person Monday: Hans

Amazing Person Monday: Hans

According to Dictionary.com

a·maz·ing  

/əˈmāziNG/

Adjective Causing great surprise or wonder; astonishing. Startlingly impressive.

Synonyms astonishing - astounding - wonderful - surprising

                    Recently I decided that I want to start giving recognition to some of the truly amazing people in my life and in the world. This being the first Amazing Person Monday I want to give recognition to my husband Hans. I realize this might seem a bit biased but honestly Hans is an amazing human being. 

                     To try and be less biased about this for Hans I thought I would do categories. The first category is him meeting the criteria outlined in the definition. 

                    Causing great surprise or wonder; astonishing. Hans was just my friend when I first met him. He  was a cool guy but I never expected that he would bring me as much joy or intellectual challenge as he has brought. Hans shocked me when I found out that he liked me and then he has shocked me ever since with his wit, commitment, giving heart, and hard work. There are so many more ways he has surprised me but these few I plan to focus on. Hans remembers things I don't even remember telling him. He tells me facts that I never would have guessed he would know and he can carry on in conversations with anyone comfortably. Hans is committed to God and to me. He is extremely loyal and has been an amazing friend to me. I have also seen Hans' commitment to others as he continues relationships with those who he is close with from a distance and takes time and care for friends nearby. He is always willing to help anyone who needs it and tends to put the needs of others before his own. Hans makes it a point to volunteer and to spend time to stay connected with his family who lives far away. 

                  Whenever Hans has an extra of anything he thinks of who he could give it too. He also seems to think of who he could give things to when there are no extras. His heart is huge and holds a lot of care for people. Hans always sees the best in people and reminds me to see that too. Whenever I dislike someone or feel frustrated Hans reminds me about the good in that person or situation. He has amazing eyes in that he can always find what is positive in a person. 

                In Philippians there is a verse that says, "Do everything without complaining or arguing so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God, without fault in a crocked and deprived generation." Hans continually reminds me to seek to live this verse. I am so grateful for Hans. He truly encourages me to be the best person that I can be. I love him sincerely. I could say so much more about Hans but I don't want to get too sappy!