Switch to the mobile version of this page.

Arkansas Times

Rock Candy

Archives | RSS

« Wednesday To-Do: David Olney & Serg… | Thursday To-Do: Justin Bieber »

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

What's going on Thursday To-Do: Bless the Mic: J.R. Martinez

Posted by Robert Bell on Wed, Jan 9, 2013 at 10:16 AM

J.R. Martinez speaks Thursday evening at Philander Smith College.

J.R. Martinez speaks Thursday evening at Philander Smith College.

BLESS THE MIC: J.R. MARTINEZ
7 p.m. Philander Smith College. Free.

After his truck rolled over a landmine in Iraq in 2003, J.R. Martinez suffered severe burns over more than 30 percent of his body and over the course of his recovery he's had 33 different surgeries.

So yes, I understand that we all get bummed out about stuff, like how work sucks or nobody understands us or the Internet is being slow. But the vast majority of us will never experience anything as painful as what Martinez has gone through. If you could use a bit of hopefulness and a heartwarming story of overcoming adversity to start off 2013, here you go. Because Martinez didn't let his terrifying injuries stop him from getting out there and living. He became an activist for veterans, an author and motivational speaker and an actor as well.

You might be familiar with Martinez from his role as veteran Brot Monroe on "All My Children" or his victory on Season 13 of "Dancing with the Stars." The key, as he told Ellen DeGeneres: "If I have a good attitude, if I stay positive, if I continue to smile every day, something good will happen to me and all of this will make sense."

Arkansas connection: Martinez lived in Hope for a while as a youngster.

Tags: J.R. Martinez, Bless the Mic, Philander Smith College

        
Tweet
Share

Speaking of...

Philander Smith to build student center, helped by trustee's $1 million gift

May 3, 2013

by Max Brantley

A pledge of $1 million from trustee C.J. Duvall and a $10 million federal loan will help Philander Smith College build a student activities building on the 135-year-old campus. /more/
Thursday To-Do: Bless the Mic: Toure

March 20, 2013

by Robert Bell

Toure speaks at Philander Smith College Thursday. /more/
More »

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this thread:

By Email

With RSS

More by Robert Bell

Saturday To-Do: 8th Annual Stueart Pennington Running of the Tubs

The 8th Annual Stueart Pennington Running of the Tubs is Saturday in Hot Springs.
- by Robert Bell
- May 17, 2013
Sunday To-Do: Futurebirds, The Whigs

The Futurebirds play at Stickyz Sunday night.
- by Robert Bell
- Apr 5, 2013
More »