Full of heart
Subtitle: my story of survival, strength, and spirit
By: J.R. Martinez with Alexandra Rockey Fleming
Contributors: Fleming, Alexandra Rockey
Edition: 1st ed.
Publisher: Hyperion
Published: 2012
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 238
ISBN-13: 9781401324742
Subjects: Dancing with the stars (Television program); United States; Salvadoran Americans; All my children (Television program); Iraq War, 2003-2011; United States. Army; Veterans; Disabled veterans; Biography
Description: This book tells the story of an inspirational journey from tragedy to triumph. In 2003, at age nineteen, the author was on a routine patrol in Iraq when the Humvee he was driving hit an antitank mine, resulting in severe injuries and burns. Out of that tragedy came an improbable journey of inspiration, motivation, and dreams come true. Raised in Louisiana and Arkansas by a single mother from El Salvador, he was well known for his good looks and his smart mouth. When his college football dreams collapsed, he turned to the U.S. Army. After his Humvee hit a mine, he spent 34 months in grueling recovery. His spirits were low, until he was asked to speak to another young burn victim. He then realized how valuable and gratifying it was to share his experiences with other patients and listen to theirs. He had found a calling. His resilience, optimism, and charm were also noted by Hollywood and scored him roles on All My Children and Dancing with the Stars, where he was the season 13 champion. Today, he tours the country sharing his story and his lessons for overcoming challenges and embracing hope, lessons that abound in this book.--From publisher description.
Table of contents: title: Boy meets world; title: American dreams; title: Hope; title: Football dreams; title: Running out of hope; title: Uncle Sam wants me; title: The crucible; title: Twilight; title: Who will love me now?; title: Burn paradise; title: A long road home; title: Getting back on the bike; title: Welcome to Hollywood; title: Full of heart.