Meet Martin Hottel, the brave UNC freshman and brother behind #TeamVictor

It’s exam week here in Chapel Thrill, which means you can (almost) sit back and take a huge sigh of relief because you’re practically there. Only a few exams stand in the way of us and winter break.

For some, this means late nights of celebrating. Others will be hitting the library to get a head start on studying. But there are a few who don’t get to participate in this end-of-semester routine. Some of our fellow Tar Heels are too busy with other struggles to give the college experience their all.

One of these students is named Martin Hottel, and his college experience has so far been the most challenging chapter of his life.

Martin is helping his twin brother, Victor, through life after the removal of a brain tumor left him with no physical capabilities, but completely mentally aware.

This tragic event was not the only time the twins have faced significant hardship.

At the age of 15, Martin and Victor were adopted. Unlike most adopted children, this was their second time going through the process.

They were first adopted at the age of 22 months. What would usually be the beginning of a new life, it quickly took a turn for the worst. Until the age of 15, Martin and Victor were victims of both verbal and physical abuse.

Martin said: “The second adoption was not at all planned. Everything just fell apart all at once and Mom and Dad were there to pick up the pieces.”

“Mom” and “Dad” are Laura and Jay Hottel, Martin and Victor’s now legal parents. They were the mentors who saw the twins through tough points of abuse. Once they became “Mom” and “Dad,” Martin remembers his life significantly changing.

“I’ve never met any man who is as funny and nurturing as my dad, because to be nurturing to his extent is something most men don’t possess, but he has managed to and he exemplifies it with Vic.

“And with mom, she lives up to the nickname of ‘the warden,’ not because she is mean or overbearing, but because she is aware of everything that goes on. That being said, everything is always taken care of and on her watch. When you mix that with being extremely comforting, you get the epitome of a perfect mother.”

However, Martin was only able to enjoy a year of bliss after constant abuse. On December 11th, 2013, a year and four days after being readopted, Victor became very ill.

He was diagnosed with a brain tumor that, although severe, seemed removable. And that’s exactly what the doctors did. They removed the tumor and then waited for Victor to recover.

But the recovery they were looking for did not come in the time expected.

Victor had plans to attend college with his brother, but was unfortunately unable to do so. But Martin has not given up hope.

Martin said the family still believes in Victor and his abilities. Although Victor will not walk across the stage with Martin, he can now sign to his brother to say how proud he is.

“My life is proof that no one person can ever really control the circumstances he or she is faced with. If you were ever to sit down with me and let me explain to you the gory details of the abuse I suffered, you would wonder how I am who I am today.

“If I took the time to explain to you the details of watching my identical twin morph from a human stallion to a miserable guy who is buried alive in his body, you would wonder how I keep my sanity. I live my life with memories of glasses and pots and pans colliding with my head.

“I also walk around in constant thought of the physical condition of my twin. I think of the blood and iodine stains that are the result of 25 surgeries. I think of the yellow, decaying skin on his hands.

“He has always remained mentally aware throughout his entire battle for the past two years, yet he can’t walk, talk, eat, breathe, swallow, blink, or move an ounce of his body. He can only do one thing: laugh.”

A regular week for Martin consists of driving over 500 miles between the hospital, home and school. A large fraction of his brother’s around the clock care is from him, but that’s Martin’s own choice.

Although Martin has only been able to spend one weekend on campus – a weekend he said he regrets not spending at home – he doesn’t feel sorry for himself or feel as if he is any less of what a Tar Heel should be.

He quoted Joyce Meyer by saying: “You can be pitiful or powerful, but you can’t be both at the same time.”

Victor and Martin are the epitome of what it means to have strength in the face of struggle. And with the overwhelming community of Tar Heels who stand behind them, we may have the answer to the question, “What binds us to this place as to no other?”

“I’ve learned that I can never allow myself to become a victim. Somehow, I’ve been carried from my birth on New Year’s Eve of 1996 to now – and I’ve survived. For that, I will always thank God, love people, serve others and press on.

“The record shows that I’ve taken blows and faced it all, but still, I stand.”

This holiday season, be thankful for your friends and family, and certainly be thankful you are a Tar Heel. Because if you are lucky enough to be a part of this loving community full of such unique and spectacular people, you are lucky enough.

To learn more about Team Victor and how you can support a fellow Tar Heel, click here.