The Hoyt Foundation September Newsletter |
From the Office of the President |
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When I was four and Rick was ten, the only way Rick could communicate was to shake his head Yes or No to the questions we asked him. At this time, Mom was teaching me to read and write so I would be ready to go to school the next year when I turned five. It occurred to me that I could use what I was learning to help Rick have more of a say in his daily life. So, we started playing with the alphabet together. It started with me asking before M and if Rick nodded his head Yes then I would start A, B, C, D, E, F, H, I and if Rick nodded his head Yes then I knew the first letter was I. Then we could guess “I want” and if Rick nodded his head Yes then we started again. I would ask before M and if Rick shook his head No then I would start N, O, P, Q, R, S, T and if Rick nodded Yes then I knew the next letter was T. Then I might guess TV. If Rick nodded Yes then I knew he wanted to turn the TV on. But this took forever! So, we modified the method to create sections based on the vowels. Now I would ask A, E, I, O, U. If Rick nodded Yes at E, I would start E, F, G and if Rick nodded at G then I knew the letter was G. Then I might guess “Go” and if Rick nodded Yes then I might guess “Go Outside.” If Rick shook his head No then we would keep spelling. I would say A and Rick would nod Yes. Then I would say A, E, I, O, U and Rick would nod Yes and then I would say U, V, W and Rick would nod Yes and I would ask are you saying, “Go Away, because you want to watch TV and I make too much noise?” Rick would smile, nod yes, and then laugh as I walked out of the room. Older brother letting the younger brother know whose boss. Without even knowing what we were doing Rick and I created the “Spell Method” also known as “The Russell Method.”
That was when Mom and Dad realized that Rick needed a computer so he could write his own messages. That way he could go to school and have a way of doing his own work. I recently found documentation that “a particular youngster” was the reason communication systems were created (computers with the specific purpose of giving a voice to the voiceless). In fact, Rick is referred to as a particular youngster in the research that shows the field of communication systems began in 1971.
In the Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development Vol. 39, No. 6 (Supplement), 2002 it is documented that “in the United States the development of communication systems began in 1971 with two students who, completely independently (one in Wisconsin and then one in Massachusetts), were drawn to the field by a particular youngster for whom they were trying to develop a communication and writing system.” [The Massachusetts effort as lead by] Richard Foulds at Tufts University and the Tufts efforts led to the development of the Tufts Interactive Communicator (TIC) (Figure 5)
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Here's Rick (a particular youngster) working with Rick Foulds (L) and Bill Crochetiere (R) on the prototype that became the TIC. |
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As we are just starting another school year, I felt it was the perfect time to share just how important communication is for everyone. Team Hoyt, The Hoyt Foundation, and the Hoyt Family wish everyone a great start to what we hope is a great year of learning. |
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Team Hoyt, The Hoyt Foundation and the Hoyt family are excited to announce that The Hoyt Foundation has added an amazing new leader to help us achieve our mission of inclusion. Amy Pepe is the new Program Director for The Hoyt Foundation. |
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Amy comes to The Hoyt Foundation excited to bring her many years of experience in mission-driven work to the role of Program Director and eager to make an impact. With a deep and authentic commitment to nonprofits, and more than a decade as a professional, community volunteer, and charity fundraiser, she has built strong partnerships, managed large-scale events, and strengthened donor and community engagement. She has worked with organizations including the Joe Andruzzi Foundation, the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and has also supported local endurance events such as Tough Ruck 26.2 for the Fallen with the Military Friends Foundation. As a longtime charity fundraiser, Amy brings deep knowledge of peer-to-peer campaign management. With 13 Boston Marathon finishes — and having just completed her Abbott Six Star journey in Tokyo this past March — she is eager to help Team Hoyt set new goals and reach new fundraising heights in the years ahead. Amy shares, “I am thrilled to be joining the team at The Hoyt Foundation and help the organization find new successes in 2026 and beyond.” Outside of work, Amy enjoys NYT crosswords, crafting, thrifting, alpine skiing, and spending time in Boston with her fiancé and their two mini dachshunds, Piggy and Squeaks.
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| Hockey and the Hoyts - it is a tradition! |
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Starting at 4:00PM, we will be having a Pre-Game Block Party on Commercial Street to kick off the season, followed by a giveaway of light up sticks when the doors open at 5:00PM. There will be a limited amount of Light up sticks to pass out, so I recommend getting to the doors when they open! During the game, we will be having an intermission performance along with a performance from our Railers Cheer Team. Come out and join us for Hockey with the Hoyts! |
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Our Falmouth team was amazing this year! We had a mother/daughter team honoring their sister/aunt (see motivation article). We had a sister pushing sister duo. We had a husband/wife team. We had a boyfriend/girlfriend team. We had new runners, returning runners, and yes for the second year we were the sponsors of the Duo Division! Check it out: Members of Team Hoyt at the Expo: |
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Our runners and how they finished: |
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| | Isabelle & Anika Fournier 1:12:41 |
| | Jennifer Abbott 1 :18 :30 |
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We did ask all of runners to give us something special at the finish line and the winner is… |
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| Our team was great and as Rick always said, “I love you all!” |
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Dick and Judy Inclusion Grant Update |
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Simple pleasures are sometimes the best part of our day. After awarding the Dick & Judy Hoyt Yes You Can Inclusion Grants, we got this handwritten thank you note from one of our families that received the grant to support their daughter in an inclusive summer program. The fact that the family took the time to write out this note by hand and send it along made our day. |
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Our grant program helps individuals with disabilities to pursue their passion. This reminds us of the now famous story of Rick coming home after the first race Dad ever pushed him in and writing on his computer, “Dad when I am running it feels like my disability disappears.” We hope that our grants are giving that feeling to everyone who receives them. |
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Rick Continues to Inspire |
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Athletes Serving Athletes strives to elevate the quality of life for individuals with limited mobility by empowering them to train for and participate in mainstream running events. |
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Where does their inspiration come from? You guessed it - Team Hoyt. They have modeled their “Together We FINISH!” attitude to create their Wingman program.
At the end of this inspiring video, you can enjoy Rick’s message of support for their efforts: https://asa.run/media/thepowerofwe/ Rick’s message comes on at 22:45.
To learn more about their incredible work check them out at https://asa.run/ |
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When my daughter, Sierra Abbott, asked me to run the Falmouth Road Race, we wanted to find a charity that was meaningful to us, something that would help us honor the memory of my sister, Julie Meyers. Once I read the mission of the Hoyt Foundation, I knew this was the charity for us. |
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My sister, Julie, was a quadriplegic born with a spinal cord injury between C5 and C6 and was in a wheelchair for her entire life. During her childhood, our parents encouraged her to be as independent as possible and to get involved in various activities. One program that I remember the most was the Jesters program at the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne, Indiana. This program fosters self-expression, self-esteem, socialization, and other life skills for individuals with disabilities while working with students at the university, aligning with the Hoyt Foundation's mission of promoting inclusion. |
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Julie's determination and independence eventually led her to do such things as getting her driver’s license, volunteer at local hospitals, go to college, and eventually buy her own house. Throughout the years, she filled her home with love, sharing it with her dogs and foster children. Julie dedicated her career to teaching students with severe disabilities, embodying the Hoyt Foundation’s mission to build individual character, self-confidence, and self-esteem in young people with disabilities. By creating an inclusive environment in her classroom, Julie demonstrated the power of inclusion in education. Later in her life, Julie began playing power soccer, showing that physical limitations do not define one's ability to participate in sports. Julie lived her life to the fullest, always optimistic and smiling, inspiring so many people, both children and adults with disabilities. Unfortunately, Julie passed away in February, 2022 at the age of 46. But along with the Hoyt Foundation, my family and I will continue to honor her by running in her memory, ensuring that her spirit of inclusion and empowerment lives on.
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| Team Hoyt Ambassador David Saltman shared pictures from his latest adventure - a trail run. |
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David was “Stoaked” to send us these pics as he ran this trail run in Hudson, NH on August 2nd. |
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| Want to be an Ambassador like David? Join us! |
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Jeff Cammuso who will be 66 in November has created his own mini–Team Hoyt Chapter in Worcester. He borrowed a chair from our good friend Brendan Aylward of AdaptX, The Rick Hoyt Research Lab and Unified 5K races across the U. S. including one right here in Lancaster, MA. Jeff shared pictures from two races:
1st race was the Worcester Fire Fighters Race 6K. To learn more about this race, check out the following link: https://www.wfd6k.com/
2nd race was the Officer Ronald Tarentino Charitable Fund 5K. To learn more about this race, check out the following link: https://runsignup.com/Race/MA/Auburn/TarentinoStrong5K |
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Team Hoyt Team Hoyt Coeur d’Alene |
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When Erika Bledsoe started with North Idaho Physical Therapy four years ago, she couldn't stand. On a Saturday in July, with special equipment from Team Hoyt Coeur d’Alene and assistance from her therapists, the 9-year-old competed in the Hayden Triathlon, a half-mile swim, 12-mile bike race and 3.1-mile run. |
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After Team Hoyt and Hoyt Running Chairs worked together to donate a chair and lend a chair to Camp Jabberwocky we received this: “My name is Emily, and I am a counselor at Camp Jabberwocky! I have spent the last 4 summers at camp, and truly believe it is one of the most amazing places in the world. The Jabberwocky 5k is one of our biggest fundraising events of the year, and truly so happy to be representing Team Hoyt! |
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I work with a few different children and adults during the year with cerebral palsy, and going on walks with one boy and his Hoyt chair is one of our favorite activities. |
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| Thank you for all you do for the community, and camp is so lucky to have these new chairs.” |
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We received this update from Bennett Yue who is organizing the first Team Hoyt College Club team:
“I hope you had a really nice summer! I wanted to keep you updated with the club's progress here in Charlottesville. On Monday we tabled at our fall activities fair and added 32 new members to the club. This semester we plan to do some fundraising through a wiffle ball tournament with some adjusted rules to allow for more participation. Then, next semester I hope to give members the opportunity to push a chair if they feel inclined. I am very hopeful for this upcoming academic year and feel we are on a good path.”
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