Disabled Marine Vet Visits A Little Boy To Show Him That His Disability Can't Hold Him Back
August 18, 2016
Jose Luis Sanchez was a Marine sergeant serving in Afghanistan in 2011 when he stepped on an IED and lost his left leg and 90 percent of his right calf in the blast.
Instagram
Sanchez had always prided himself on his fitness. Depressed about his condition, Sanchez closed himself off to the world. He didn't want people to see him weakened.
"I became a complete introvert," Sanchez said. "I just wanted to workout to become the person I used to be."
For four long years Sanchez focused solely on getting himself back into peak physical shape, rarely interacting with others. When he exercised, he covered up his wounds.
"I didn't want to show my wounds because I didn't want anyone to look down on me," Sanchez said. "I didn't want to hear that negativity; I felt ugly. Nobody wants to see those wounds, hell I don't even want to see them."
But after four years, Sanchez realized he needed the support of others, so he started to open himself up. It began with posting Instagram videos of his workouts. While still hesitant to show his wounds, the response online was staggering (he currently has over 23,000 followers) and overwhelmingly positive.
Instagram
On Apr. 18, 2016, Sanchez ran the Boston Marathon.
"I want to lead by example," said Sanchez. "I hope that some people see what I've done and it invokes that fire within them to get over whatever is holding them back."
Instagram
This week, Sanchez visited Diego, a boy born without his right leg and only two fingers on his right hand. Despite his physical challenges, Diego wants to follow in his father's footsteps and become an Army soldier.
Sanchez showed Diego that his disabilities can't hold him back.
Click Here For The Most Popular On Sunny Skyz
Couple Rescues Prairie Dog From Their Dog's Mouth, Then Decides To Adopt It
My Girlfriend Gifted Me My Father’s Handwriting To Keep Forever
We Can’t Stop Looking At These Adorable Baby Loon Photos Taken On A Lake
This Couple Built A Grass Patch For Their Cat, And She’s Obsessed With It
This All-Black ‘Goth House’ In Indiana Is Going Viral. Wait Until You See The Inside
Meet Igor: The Fluffy Poltergeist Dog With The Most Unhinged Adoption Bio Ever
Baby Elephant’s Trunk Steals The Show In Adorable Treat Time Video
What Happens When A Man With A Hose Meets A Group of Kids? Pure Magic
Chicken Or Pigeon? The Internet Can’t Believe This Bird Is Real
Mom Surprises 4-Year-Old Son With First Apartment After 14 Months In Homeless Shelter
Bear Vs. Sprinkler: Hilarious Garden Moment Caught On Camera
