This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Martinez tells AOA attendees: Adapt and overcome
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
SAN DIEGO – J.R. Martinez, motivational speaker, author and actor, drew upon his recovery after being badly burned in an explosion in Iraq to urge attendees at Optometry’s Meeting general session to remain optimistic and focus on their strengths.
Martinez said he was raised by a single mother who “always smiled” despite their struggles, which included losing his sister.
J.R. Martinez
When Martinez was unable to pursue his dreams of playing college football, he enlisted in the Army. Three weeks into his deployment in Iraq, the Humvee he was driving ran over a roadside bomb.
As he felt the rush of pain over his entire body and saw his hands changing “like you see in Hollywood” before his eyes, “I started to accept that, at 19 years old, everything I thought I was going to do would no longer be a possibility,” he said.
Martinez said 30% of his body was burned and he also experienced peripheral damage, such as a lacerated liver and broken ribs.
As he began his recovery at Brooke Army Medical Center in Texas, Martinez initially fell into a deep depression after seeing himself in a mirror. A visit from his mother turned his attitude around.
“I don’t know why this happened to you,” she told him, “but if you continue to be optimistic, believe and have faith, over time you will see the big picture.”
Six months later Martinez was asked to visit another burn patient who sat in a dark room. As he left the room after their lengthy talk, the patient partially opened the curtains, and Martinez realized he had given him hope.
“It made me feel good to know I was helping other people,” he said.
Martinez became a spokesman for nonprofits that deal with veterans and their families and also became a motivational speaker.
He said during his 3-year stay in the hospital, he underwent 32 surgeries and has had two since, with the most recent 4 months ago.
Martinez had a role on the soap opera, “All My Children,” for 3 years and was asked to participate in the “Dancing With the Stars” competition, which he and his partner won.
“When you face adversity, you have to have a positive attitude, be willing to learn and grow and be willing to take something away from that experience, whether it was good or bad,” Martinez said. “It will help you deal with adversity you may face later on.
“You’re here to help people as well,” he continued. “You are here to continue to learn about ways to help people and educate them on how to take care of their vision… to see the beautiful things this world has to offer.”
Martinez said they are taught in the military to adapt and overcome, because the mission will always change.
“When you face that adversity, look at it optimistically, focus your strength,” he concluded. “Adapt and overcome.”