Technical Sergeant Israel Del Toro was burned over 80-percent of his body after his vehicle rolled over an improvised explosive device in 2005, and Del Toro was flown to a makeshift hospital.
"I remember the doctor cutting off my watch and telling me I was going to be okay. That was December of 2005, I woke up March 2006 and when I woke up the doctors told me 'You may or may not walk again, you almost died three times and we only gave you a 15-20 percent chance of living,'" said Del Toro.
Del Toro also says he still remembers waking up from his coma and hearing the doctors.
"I couldn't talk because I had a tracheotomy, so I'm kind of laying there and the doctor is looking at me, waiting for my answer. I really can't repeat everything I said, but they read my lips, and it was pretty much, you can go to hell," added Del Toro.
After the three-month coma and fours years worth of rehabilitation and surgeries, Del Toro has reenlisted in the Air Force.
"Doctors still can't believe that I'm walking and breathing on my own, but in your mind if you haven't given up, you know your body won't give up," said Del Toro.
Del Toro will work as an instructor for the Tactical Air Control Party which he previously worked with and is used for calling in air strikes in the battlefield.
Tech. Sergeant Del Toro could of had the same job as a civilian and been paid more, but he says it was never about the money, and his goal was to reenlist.
Technical Sergeant Israel Del Toro was burned over 80-percent of his body after his vehicle rolled over an improvised explosive device in 2005, and Del Toro was flown to a makeshift hospital.
"Doctors still can't believe that I'm walking and breathing on my own, but in your mind if you haven't given up, you know your body won't give up," said Del Toro.
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