Devoted: The Story of a Father’s Love for His Son was another book that I saw at the Book Expo in the Da Capo Press booth. Unlike some of the other new book releases though, this one looked familiar. I asked the rep if this was “the guy in the Youtube video” that I had seen – the father who competed in triathlons with his disabled son. She wasn’t totally sure, but shared the idea behind the book and sent me a copy to read. I quickly read this memoir of a father and son upon the book’s arrival. And yes. It is the “Youtube guy.”
Before you read this review, you really ought to check out the Youtube video which I will include for your convenience here below. Now, to set this up a bit for you – this was originally presented to me with the following lesson attached:
If this is what an earthly father is willing to do for a son whom he loves, how much more is our Heavenly Father willing to do for and with and through us? With that – here’s the video:
Devoted is a story of love and passion that a father has for his child. When Rick Hoyt was born, the umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck for a time, cutting off his oxygen supply and causes brain damage. In the 1960’s people were not really sure how to handle children with disabilities, and the Hoyts’ doctors suggested that Dick and Judy Hoyt institutionalize their son. They refused, instead choosing to raise Rick themselves, come whatever difficulties.
Dick Hoyt documents Rick’s life for us in this book – the challenges that were faced and overcome and some personal family struggles also. To be honest, in some ways, Hoyt reads as being kind of arrogant. He delights in all of his achievements to an almost excessive degree. Let me be clear – I do not fault him for those accomplishments for there is much to be proud of. But he kinda unnecessarily stresses that he’s a really great guy and easy to get along with in person. When an author has to convince me of his humbleness, I’m not all together convinced. Despite that issue with the book, I read through that to see that Dick’s heart for his son is commendable and there is certainly room on this earth for him to share his story so that others can be encouraged and inspired by it. My only other concern, if you will, (and this really isn’t a spoiler because you discover something amiss almost from the get-go) is that, ultimately, Judy and Dick’s marriage does not survive. Dick doesn’t share the details and I’m rather glad of it. I was sorry though that whatever happened between them a.) could not be resolved and b.) that Judy was left out of the family photos which were included in the book. I felt that since they were married for close to 30 years, it would have been nice to see a photo of her with her son when he was a baby. Not sure why that didn’t appear and no doubt there is a good reason. It was just sad to discover that brokenness in the family. You spend the book rooting for their success that that particular aspect is disheartening.
I think I saw this Youtube video of them almost two years ago and I was positively delighted to find out more of the “behind-the-scenes” of their story. Today’s society is so quick to dismiss those with disabilities and we parents each want our own children to be born perfect. (We quickly realize that they are not, but we hold out hope for awhile.) People who do not meet society’s standards of perfection are easily looked down upon and quickly dismissed. Therefore I very much appreciated Dick and Judy’s gumption in fighting for the right of their son, Rick, to be treated as a human being who has great worth and value. I agree with their perspective of human life – in whatever difficult form we may greet it from time to time. I admire them for their efforts to break down barriers on behalf of the disabled and for believing that anything was possible for Rick.
While Devoted‘s primary purpose is to tell the story of Rick, from birth to triathlete, it comes across more of a labor of love.
Simply put, I think the Hoyt story is intriguing and inspirational on the whole. It’s a story worth telling, worth hearing, and worth reading about. Thank you, Da Capo Press, for offering it to us.
Carrie enjoys hearing about the personal stories of others. She especially enjoys hearing inspirational stories that strengthen her faith. She enjoys blogging about faith and books on her own book blog, Reading to Know.
Meaghan says
This father/son duo are amazing! I know I have seen their story on a tv show, but I can’t remember which on it was. Anyways, they were so inspiring, my husband and I fell in love with them. I am so glad that they are coming out with a book, I will be sure to pick it up 🙂
Stephanie's Mommy Brain says
Sounds like a fascinating story!