U.S. Air Force Sgt. Israel Del Toro was told that He’d never walk again

In 2005, Del Toro’s Humvee rolled over a pressure-plate mine and exploded. Speaking to ABC five years after the incident, Del Toro explained that he was covered head to toe in flames upon escaping the truck. He says he thought to himself, “I’m going to die here. I’m never going to see my wife and son again.” Del Toro lost many of his fingers, and 80% of his face and body were covered in third-degree burns. Doctors gave him a 15% chance of survival.

After the accident, Del Toro was in a coma for three months. He was told he’d likely never be able to walk again or breathe without the help of a respirator.
Despite the odds being stacked against him, he persevered and was able to make an astounding recovery. Del Toro underwent more than 100 surgeries, and used sports as a key part of his rehabilitation.

In May 2006, less than a year after the accident, Del Toro was walking and breathing on his own. That year, he was awarded the Purple Heart for his bravery.

The Invictus Games are a multi-sport event in which wounded, injured, or sick servicemen and women take part. In 2016, nearly 500 athletes from 14 different countries took part in the Games, which typically run over a course of four days. In 2014, Del Toro took home the silver medal in powerlifting, and in 2016, he won the gold in the shot put.

At the opening ceremony for the 2016 Invictus Games, George W. Bush paid tribute to Del Toro and his recovery, who had his wife, Carmen, and his son, also named Israel, at his side.

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