Israel Del Toro
After suffering catastrophic injuries as the result of a landmine in Afghanistan, Israel "DT" Del Toro was given a 15 percent chance of survival. Then his doctors told him he was going to be in the hospital for another year, that he may never walk again, and he'd probably be stuck on a respirator for the rest of his life. But DT had a promise to keep to his son: that he would never have to grow up without a father.
In 2005 while serving in the U.S. Air Force in Afghanistan, Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro was following routine orders when his Humvee rolled over a buried pressure-plate mine and exploded. The blast severed most of his fingers and left him in a coma for nearly three months, with burns covering the majority of his body. He was given a 15% chance of survival, but Del Toro defied the odds and made a miraculous recovery. During his rehabilitation, Del Toro was introduced to adaptive sports as a therapeutic outlet and it quickly became something he excelled at. He eventually set world records in shot put, discus, and javelin and won a gold medal at The 2016 Invictus Games.
After waking up from his coma, Del Toro was given a bleak prognosis and was told he may never walk or breathe on his own again, and that he most definitely would not be able to re-enlist in the military. Despite the myriad obstacles in front of him, Del Toro remained determined and made a promise to himself that he would return to active duty one day. In May 2006, less than a year after the accident, he was walking and breathing on his own, and was awarded the Purple Heart for his bravery in the face of adversity. In 2010 Del Toro achieved his goal, and became the first 100-percent combat disabled Air Force technician to re-enlist, proving once again what one can achieve with steadfast tenacity and determination.
Del Toro has never let his disabilities limit him. In 2014 he participated in the inaugural Invictus Games — a competition for wounded servicemen and women created by Prince Harry. Although he lost his fingers and some vital muscles in the explosion, he was able to lift 215 pounds in the power lifting event. During the second Invictus Games in 2016, Del Toro was honored by President George W. Bush in the opening ceremony. That year he took home a gold medal in shot put.
Through his actions, Del Toro seeks to eliminate the stigma associated with disabilities, and prove that with perseverance no obstacles are insurmountable. Today, Del Toro continues to serve in the military as a member of the US Air Force "Wings of Blue" Parachute Team. He's also a member of the World Class Athlete program and is training for the 2017 Warrior Games in Chicago.
On July 12th, 2017, Del Toro received the ESPYs Pat Tillman Award from his good friend, TV host Jon Stewart, who called DT "a study in strength, tenacity, bravery and service."
After suffering catastrophic injuries as the result of a landmine in Afghanistan, Israel "DT" Del Toro was given a 15 percent chance of survival. Then his doctors told him he was going to be in the hospital for another year, that he may never walk again, and he'd probably be stuck on a respirator for the rest of his life. But DT had a promise to keep to his son: that he would never have to grow up without a father.
In 2005 while serving in the U.S. Air Force in Afghanistan, Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro was following routine orders when his Humvee rolled over a buried pressure-plate mine and exploded. The blast severed most of his fingers and left him in a coma for nearly three months, with burns covering the majority of his body. He was given a 15% chance of survival, but Del Toro defied the odds and made a miraculous recovery. During his rehabilitation, Del Toro was introduced to adaptive sports as a therapeutic outlet and it quickly became something he excelled at. He eventually set world records in shot put, discus, and javelin and won a gold medal at The 2016 Invictus Games.
After waking up from his coma, Del Toro was given a bleak prognosis and was told he may never walk or breathe on his own again, and that he most definitely would not be able to re-enlist in the military. Despite the myriad obstacles in front of him, Del Toro remained determined and made a promise to himself that he would return to active duty one day. In May 2006, less than a year after the accident, he was walking and breathing on his own, and was awarded the Purple Heart for his bravery in the face of adversity. In 2010 Del Toro achieved his goal, and became the first 100-percent combat disabled Air Force technician to re-enlist, proving once again what one can achieve with steadfast tenacity and determination.
Del Toro has never let his disabilities limit him. In 2014 he participated in the inaugural Invictus Games — a competition for wounded servicemen and women created by Prince Harry. Although he lost his fingers and some vital muscles in the explosion, he was able to lift 215 pounds in the power lifting event. During the second Invictus Games in 2016, Del Toro was honored by President George W. Bush in the opening ceremony. That year he took home a gold medal in shot put.
Through his actions, Del Toro seeks to eliminate the stigma associated with disabilities, and prove that with perseverance no obstacles are insurmountable. Today, Del Toro continues to serve in the military as a member of the US Air Force "Wings of Blue" Parachute Team. He's also a member of the World Class Athlete program and is training for the 2017 Warrior Games in Chicago.
On July 12th, 2017, Del Toro received the ESPYs Pat Tillman Award from his good friend, TV host Jon Stewart, who called DT "a study in strength, tenacity, bravery and service."
