If there is anyone who is a testimony to the resilience of the human spirit, it’s military veteran J.R. Martinez. In 2003, the Georgia resident was serving in Iraq in the Army’s 101st Airborne unit when a Humvee he was driving struck a mine. Burned over 30 percent of his body, including his face, he spent 34 months in the hospital and had 30 surgeries to repair the damage. Just 20 years old at the time, Martinez could have succumbed to the overwhelming physical injuries as well as the damage to his psyche. Instead, he became a symbol of success for the military and anyone who’s been through a horrific experience. He landed roles on “All My Children” and “Army Wives” and was the Season 13 winner of “Dancing With the Stars.”
His miraculous recovery is detailed in his new book “Full of Heart.” In it, Martinez describes the devastation his injuries caused him and his family and the strength, both mental and physical it took to overcome them. Now an advocate for burn victims and a motivational speaker, Martinez hopes his book inspires someone else in a challenging situation.
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(Source: Black America Web)
