Two Massachusetts Companies partner to help Former Boston Hockey Players experience the thrill of the Boston Marathon Race
Massachusetts based companies, Vibram and Team Hoyt Running Chairs are collaborating to help individuals with disabilities experience the thrill of the race.
The story begins with Boston Legends, Dick and Rick Hoyt. Rick was diagnosed at birth as a spastic quadriplegic with cerebral palsy. In 1977, Rick asked his father if he would push him in a local charity run. That race sparked the beginning of the Inclusive Assisted Athletic Movement where able bodied athletes partner with athletes with disabilities to complete events from 5ks to Ironman triathlons.
“It’s all Rick’s fault, he was the one who asked me to run in that first race and it’s just unbelievable what’s going on, it’s all over the world.” -Dick Hoyt
Michael DiDonato, whose family owns Southbridge Tool and Manufacturing in Dudley, MA, was inspired by Dick and Rick Hoyt’s story and offered to fix their running chair in 2012. Since then Southbridge Tool has been designing and manufacturing the Hoyt Running Chair for families around the world. The current model is the Blade Hoyt Running Chair, designed by Nick Sotar, former bicycle shop owner. The Blade is able to be taken apart and shipped in a bike box which makes it possible to be shipped around the world. Nick’s daughters, Anna and Katie, have joined the team and manage International Sales and design and sew all of the cushions.
“Our ultimate goal is to promote Inclusion, and we think our chair makes great strides in doing that.” -Nick Sotar
Since 2016 Vibram has been supporting Hoyt Running Chairs’ mission of Inclusion by donating running chairs to teams in need.
Vibram recently gifted a Hoyt Running Chair to Team Aaron and Cesar of Chihuahua, Mexico. Cesar was inspired by videos of Team Hoyt and asked his friends if they knew of someone he could partner with for Triathlons. Aaron, who was rendered a quadriplegic in a car accident, was introduced to Cesar, and the two became best friends.
Team Hoyt Running Chairs International Director, Anna Sotar delivered that chair to Mexico in March 2017.
“Presenting the Vibram Running Chair to Aaron and Cesar was an incredible trip. We were treated like family by everyone we met. They taught me the greatest lesson, the simplest lesson, as to why we do what we do; for love. Es por Amor.” -Anna Sotar
This month, Vibram gifted another chair to former Boston Professional hockey players, Denna Laing and Bobby Carpenter. Denna Laing played forward for Boston Pride of the NWHL, and sustained a spinal cord injury during the 2015 Outdoor Women’s Classic at Gillette Stadium. She is teaming up with former Boston Bruin’s player, Bobby Carpenter, to take on the Boston Marathon. .
Team Hoyt Running Chairs and Vibram will be presenting the running chair to Denna and Bobby at Vibram’s Store on Newbury St. at 12:15pm Friday, March 31. This chair comes with a special twist. Vibram and Team Hoyt Running Chairs want to help Denna get back on the ice with custom Ice Blade attachments that can replace the chair’s wheels.
“Vibram is honored to be working with Team Hoyt Running Chairs, and we’re inspired by the stories of these amazing teams that will receive donated chairs. We can’t wait to follow their extraordinary journeys in the Hoyt Running Chairs and I’m hopeful that other companies are motivated to follow suit in an effort to provide these wonderful tools to athletes and disabled riders who need them” -Chris Melton, Director of Finished Goods at Vibram USA
Denna and Bobby can be seen in action in their new Vibram Hoyt Running Chair during this year’s 121st Boston Marathon on Monday April 17.
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