Nationally recognized Team Hoyt to speak in Mason, Ohio

Team Hoyt will be speaking September 13, 2007 at Great Wolf Lodge in Mason, OH. The event, open to the public, is a dinner fundraiser by Mason Parks & Recreation Foundation to build “Common Ground,” an all-inclusive playground to serve “handi-capable” children and adults of southwest Ohio. More information, including ticket purchasing, is available at www.masonparksfoundation.org.

Dick and Rick Hoyt are a father-and-son team who have completed 216 Triathlons, including six Ironman distances; 20 Duathlons; and 65 Marathons, including 25 Boston Marathonsteam. Together they compete just about continuously in marathon races. And if they’re not in a marathon they are in a triathlon. Together they have climbed mountains, and once trekked 3,735 miles across America in 45 consecutive days.

What is remarkable about this is Rick has Cerebral Palsy and can't walk or talk. At Rick’s birth in 1962 the umbilical cord coiled around his neck and cut off oxygen to his brain. Dick and Judy Hoyt were determined to raise Rick normally and include Rick in their family’s activities.

For the past twenty five years or more Dick, who is 65, has pushed and pulled his son across the country and over hundreds of finish lines. When Dick runs, Rick is in a wheelchair that Dick is pushing. When Dick cycles, Rick is in the seat-pod from his wheelchair, attached to the front of the bike. When Dick swims, Rick is in a small boat being pulled by Dick.

Dick Hoyt doesn’t only compete athletically; he is a motivational speaker, spreading inspiration to all kinds of audiences. His presentation, “Yes You Can” talks about the importance of inclusion and how that spurred Rick to compete in races and earn a degree from Boston University in special education.

Rachel Kopfler, Mason Parks & Recreation Foundation President, knows personally the importance of inclusion. She and husband Rick have five children under the age of 6, including a set of triplets, one with a spinal cord defect. “When I take my children to playgrounds, Grant is at a disadvantage because most playgrounds in this area haven’t been designed to accommodate children or adults with disabilities,” explains Kopfler. “After attending a symposium last year on all-inclusive playgrounds and seeing what other cities have done, I approached the city of Mason, who embraced the idea with open arms, earmarking land for the project. The City helped gather other Mason citizens and together we formed the Foundation to spearhead the building of “Common Ground.” The Foundation is a non-profit, 501c3 corporation and can take advantage of the grant opportunities for this type of project.

“Studies have shown that children learn the rules of society through play,” explains Kopfler. “Disabled children are more empowered, have greater confidence, and progress quicker when they are able to play with typically developing children. In turn, typically developing children are more accepting of special-needs children when they are given the opportunity to interact with them on the playground.” Kopfler’s family has experienced this first-hand. Grant’s progress has been accelerated because he wants to keep up with his brothers and sister, and his siblings accept special-needs people without questions.

“Common Ground has been designed to go way beyond the requirements set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act,” continues Kopfler. “Its design addresses all levels of disabilities, such as providing quiet areas for people with sensory issues, shade for sun-sensitive individuals, and special features for those with autism, Down Syndrome, and hearing impairment (just to name a few). Only 100 playgrounds of this magnitude exist in the United States. We believe Cincinnati’s “handi-capable” families could benefit from such a playground.”

According to the US Census Bureau’s 2005 American Community Survey, there are more than 44 million people with disabilities aged 5 to 15. This is a 25% increase over the past decade.

The playground alone and the infrastructure to support it (not including the land, which the City of Mason has already designated for a park) is anticipated to cost around $500,000. An artists’ rendering of the butterfly-themed playground can be viewed at the Foundation’s website.

The Foundation is actively engaged in fundraising activities and soliciting corporate and private donations. Tickets to attend the Team Hoyt dinner and speaking event can be purchased by credit card at www.masonparksfoundation.org or by check (made payable to Mason Parks & Recreation Foundation) sent to: Mason Parks & Recreation Foundation, attention Rachel Kopfler, 6000 Mason-Montgomery Road, Mason, OH 45040. Tickets are $100/person or $750/table of eight. The presenting sponsor of the event is First Financial Bank.