The Doctors: J.R. Martinez “Full of Heart” Review & Injury Recovery

J.R. Martinez: Memoir Full of Heart

The Doctors welcomed a very special celebrity guest, J.R. Martinez, to share his incredible story. J.R. was just 19 years old when he was almost fatally injured while serving the U.S. military in Iraq. In April 2003, J.R. was driving a vehicle hit by a roadside bomb, which was soon engulfed in flames. J.R. miraculously survived and later became an actor, motivational speaker and Dancing with the Stars champion. His is a true story of a person overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds.

J.R.’s entire story is being shared in a new book entitled Full of Heart. J.R. spoke with The Doctors about his amazing recovery and what fatherhood has added to his life.

J.R. Martinez: Three Year Recovery & Skin Graft Surgery

J.R. took The Drs. back to the day that his life changed forever. He said that inside of the vehicle he was driving, it was laughter one minute, and then “Boom” the next. When he was trapped inside the vehicles watching his hands become engulfed in flames, he felt “hopeless.” At that point, while struggling to breathe, J.R. said that he accepted his fate and believed that he would die.

Amazingly, J.R.’s two Sergeants found a way to pull him out of the vehicle. He could sense the fear in their voices as they tried to comfort him before he was sent to Germany on a helicopter. J.R. was put into a medically induced coma and then transferred to San Antonio, Texas for dozens of surgeries and a recovery process that took three years.

The doctors showed pictures of J.R. during his recovery with skin expanders on his head and chest. The expanders were used to create extra tissue for skin graft surgeries that helped replace the skin damaged by burns. J.R. was only 19-years-old at the time of his accident, and even as he recovered, he had trouble imagining how he would ever live a normal life. “This is my second chance, and I’m gonna make the most of it,” he finally realized. See J.R. detail his incredible journey in the videos below.

J.R. Martinez: Fatherhood & Daughter Lauryn Anabelle Martinez

With no acting experience whatsoever, J.R. later auditioned for a role on soap opera All My Children. He won the role of a wounded war veteran before appearing on Dancing with the Stars. J.R. hopes to be a “daily reminder” to people facing adversity that they, too, can achieve their dreams.

Fatherhood is another aspect of J.R.’s new life that has completely changed him. He and his girlfriend, Diana, have a seven-month-old daughter named Lauryn Anabelle Martinez. J.R. has learned to appreciate every moment because his daughter grows so fast.

Dr. Jim Sears: Sleep Training & Crying

Like many new parents, J.R. was full of questions. His question for Dr. Jim Sears was about sleep training. He wondered if it was okay to let a baby cry during sleep training, or if it was harmful in any way.

Dr. Sears said that intense, stressful crying for a long period of time is not good for a baby. But for the most part, trust your instincts. A couple of minutes of crying is probably okay. Check for changes in crying, and it might not be a bad idea to periodically go in and pick her up, such as J.R. and Diana do. It also helps to establish a routine for the baby.

Read more of J.R. Martinez’s incredible story in his memoir, Full of Heart.