Conference of people who struck lightning did not die

Those who are struck by lightning and are lucky to escape often suffer from mysterious diseases. To overcome their injuries, they organized a global conference on this.

One by one, the lightning strikers did not stand up and tell their stories. Steve has had 38 surgeries. Marianne still feels disoriented and now walks into a desk or door frame. Mike no longer needs crutches when he walks. Linda sheds tears of unspeakable tears, she has been hit by lightning four times in 24 years.

In Germany, lightning does not hit the same place more than 4 times (Photo: VNN)

The stories were narrated in the dimly lit conference room at a hotel in Pigeon Forge, not far from the Dollywood theme park, which helped bring the remote city of Tennessee to a map. Tennessee has a wide range of attractions, from arcades to summer venues, including a replica of a mine with an artificial stream, where visitors eagerly dig sand for gold to find stones. Semi-precious.

The international conference of those lucky to survive after electrocution and lightning strikes took place in a small street, sounding as attractive as the above locations. That was probably a strange meeting.

Most conference participants think that after lightning strikes somewhere, it often leaves a small cloud of ash . In fact, death due to lightning strikes rarely occurs. Mary Ann Cooper, a professor of medicine at the University of Chicago, said that out of 10 people struck by lightning, 9 people still live.

Cooper is an experienced expert in lightning research, and is a member of the executive board of the Self-Help Association - which organizes annual workshops on survivors of lightning strikes.

Self-reliant association of 1,400 members, from many countries around the world. Conference participants talked about their neglect, although some were seriously injured, and most of the attention was focused only on those who were struck by lightning.

There are some rare exceptions, such as the recent incident at a football field in Wenden, a city in northern Germany, when three girls were lucky to escape after a lightning strike. Such situations often happen rather than something strange. However, those who are really lucky are those who do not suffer from a long-term injury.

Victim was struck by Renee Tressler (Photo: VNN)

More than 100 people alive after being struck by lightning in Pigeon Forge are not entirely lucky. They talk about confusing pain, panic attacks, severe disorders and challenges in convincing the whole world to believe in them.

Lightning often does not cause visible burns so only a few victims exhibit physical evidence to illustrate their story.

"This conference is the only place where I can answer honestly when someone asks me how I did it," said a member of the association, Jim Segneri. "The conference lasts 3 days with a useful presentation of experts and the vote for the Survivor of the Year".

During the conference last year, the title " Survivor " went to Linda Cooper . This woman was struck by lightning 4 times. For the first time, Linda hit lightning 24 years ago when she stood in front of the post office, the second time she was calling home, the third time while washing dishes - lightning passed through the sink to her hand, and for the fourth time Car window is open.

Cases like Linda's are quite numerous, for some people from Florida, where lightning strikes 40 times per square kilometer per year. In Germany, lightning strikes at the same place rarely exceeds 4 times. There are a few people who are often struck by lightning. The record holder has been beaten many times by Roy Sullivan, security guard in Virginia - 7 times. This person is now dead.

During the first lightning strike, Linda Cooper lost her memory. As a teacher, Linda could not solve an even simplest arithmetic operation. It took 10 years for Linda to recover completely."But then, lightning struck me again for the second time."

For most people present in the auditorium, being hit once by lightning is more than enough. Some tall, healthy looking men also shiver when they tell their story, even though it happened many years ago.

One person confided that he was " depressed " since being struck by lightning and is now easily confused, slow to think. Another man said, after being struck by lightning, he lost his cold feeling. And that person can see his arm turn pale before wearing his jacket.

Member of the lightning strike association, electric shock does not die
(Photo: VNN)

There was a woman talking about how lightning struck her personality. This woman becomes easily irritable, easily touched and sensitive."I look at myself and feel like I'm looking at some stranger."

Renee Tressler recalls . "At that time the sky turned bluish, poisonous. At that time she was driving to work, driving fast because it was late. Renee opened the window to dry her hair. It was a loud bang that I have never seen before. " The incident happened many years ago, Renee - a former medical technician said. "Since then, I have difficulty concentrating". This woman's right leg was shortened and now she has to use a cane when walking.

The impact of lightning on each person is very different and quite difficult to guess. However, one thing all the victims encounter is: for a moment, they are like an electric current of tens of thousands of ampere - enough current to light billions of bulbs in one part. small of seconds. Damage caused by lightning is based on the electric current passing through the person down to the ground.

Those who are struck by lightning but do not suffer long-term damage are really lucky (Photo: VNN)

Hoai Linh