From the Ashes: My Journey to "Make A Move"
Written by Mike Lopez on July 07, 2025
Imagine being trapped upside down in a smashed car, flames licking at your face, forcing you to use your arms to shield your eyes. For me, Martin Micheal Lopez, that terrifying scenario became a stark reality in November 2007, the result of a drunk driving accident.
It was my first year of college. I thought I had it all figured out, training hard and partying even harder. I left a party with a friend I'd known for six years. I knew he'd been drinking; it was just what we did back then. His desperate words and carelessness set in motion what could have been my end. Sure, I chose to get in the car, but I never would have if I'd known we'd be traveling over 140 miles per hour, nearly killing innocent people, and inflicting pain and trauma on our families and friends.
My family visited me daily in the hospital, fighting with the agonizing uncertainty of whether I'd survive. I sustained burns to 30% of my left arm and face, endured three months in a drug-induced coma, battled numerous complications and life-threatening infections, and ultimately underwent the amputation of my left hand and the loss of my left eye and ear.
As an athlete with a background in wrestling, the physical recovery, bolstered by the fortitude I'd developed, wasn't the hardest part. The psychosocial recovery proved to be the most challenging. Anger, depression, and anxiety all converged as I grappled with discovering who I was as a young man. Years of self-study and personal work, interspersed with countless surgeries, led me to cultivate mindfulness and take ownership of my actions, both past and present, as a pathway to healing.
A significant part of my recovery has come from the incredible opportunities within the burn community. I was fortunate to be introduced to this community early in my journey, meeting some of the most remarkable and special people who have become like family. Giving back to this community, which has given me so much, is something I'll likely do for the rest of my life.
A particularly special opportunity arose when I was nominated as a Phoenix SOAR (Survivors Offering Assistance in Recovery) Peer Supporter by Phoenix Society. While I'm still in the early stages of my peer support journey, it's already presented me with profound, thought-provoking, and healing experiences. Though it's been less than a year since I officially became a peer supporter, I've always strived to give back and support the burn community in any way I could.
After nearly 15 years of semi-frequent speaking engagements, I've decided to step out of my comfort zone and transition into the media space. I'm incredibly excited to introduce you to Make A Move – a bi-weekly vlog dedicated to sharing phenomenal stories and unlocking untapped potential.
Make A Move will showcase the incredible resilience and achievements of individuals from diverse backgrounds. Our goal is to redefine our perceptions of what "abled-bodied" truly means while imparting invaluable life lessons. We'll present many compelling stories across various fields, with a significant emphasis on the burn community and amputees – a demographic I'll proudly represent for the rest of my life. Because, ultimately, it's not just what you say, but how you live.