Lightning Strike Survivor Shares Story to Educate Public

Unfortunately the old saying, “Lightning never strikes twice,” is not true. Even more unfortunate, it only takes one strike of lightning to change a person’s life forever. Tamara Pandolph-Peary of Chatham, Illinois learned the dangers of lightning the hard way.

She describes herself as a hard worker who was on the move from the moment she woke up to the moment she went to sleep. However, being struck by lightning in 2010 changed everything for her.

“People don’t take storms seriously enough,” says Tamara. She is working with the Safe Electricity program to share her story about storm safety and educate others so they can avoid accidents.

After work on a rainy day Tamara, a manager at a store, offered to get her van and give everyone a ride to his or her car. For Tamara, who is used to taking care of her family as a wife and mother of three, it was a natural thing to do. As Tamara put her hand on the van door, she saw a bright light bounce off her umbrella. The next thing she remembers is sitting in her van and being confused about how she got there.

Tamara’s employees insisted that she had been struck by lightning and encouraged her to go to the hospital. However, Tamara was sure the van had been struck—not her—so she went home as normal. However, things were not normal when Tamara went home. She could not remember how to use her house keys, and she noticed her clothes were warm. A Lichtenberg Figure, or lightning rash, began to appear on her face. A Lichtenberg figure is not actually a rash, it is a temporary pattern left on the skin by the flow of electric current. At her family’s insistence, she finally went to the hospital. Doctors were not able to offer her advice beyond taking a pain killer and getting plenty of rest. Unfortunately, this would not be enough to treat the damage Tamara had suffered in the lightning strike.

Over the next few days it became clear that all was not well with Tamara. Physically, she looked the same, but she was not the same person. When people talked to Tamara their words sounded garbled and did not make sense. She had difficulties remembering people and how to do simple things like preparing recipes. Tamara recovered her ability to understand speech but struggles with other effects of the lightning strike. She eventually had to leave her job to devote herself to recovering.

The lightning took its greatest toll on Tamara’s memory. Before the accident, she took pride in remembering her customers and their birthdays, anniversaries, and interests. Now Tamara has what she calls “bad brain days.” On these days she struggles to do basic things, even forgetting where her home is if she goes for a walk.

In addition to “bad brain days” Tamara deals with chronic pain and exhaustion. She has to make careful plans each day so that she uses her limited energy wisely. She takes notes and writes everything down so she will not forget. She used to love reading but cannot read books anymore since she forgets characters and plotlines. She has worked to improve her memory though, and she can now read short stories. She also has some unusual symptoms, such as draining electronics of their charge. However, there is little research on how to test for and treat lightning strike survivors.

Despite all the challenges of life after a lightning strike, Tamara has managed to find the positive in it. “I’ve learned to cherish each day,” she says. “Every day is a blessing. When I have a bad day, I remember that tomorrow will be better.”

Tamara and her family have adjusted to a new normal since the accident. Tamara values optimism and positivity more than ever. She has found hope by supporting others who have been struck by lightning and is sharing her story so that others may learn from it.

Tamara emphasizes that it is always important to take necessary precautions in severe weather to avoid being struck by lightning. “It’s changed my life. It’s changed the lives of everyone around me. It may seem like a one in a million chance, but it is not a risk worth taking,” she says.

Fortunately, there is a lot you can do to protect yourself from lightning. Many lightning strikes occur while people are playing sports or doing chores outside. Remember, no sport or chore is worth a lifetime of heartache and recovery.

Lightning can strike up to 10 miles from the area in which it is raining, even if you don’t see clouds. This means that if you can hear thunder, you’re within striking distance. That is why the National Weather Service has adopted the saying: When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors! Lightning Strike and Electric Shock Survivors International recommends using the “bang to flash” method to stay safe during a storm. When you see a flash of lightning, count until you hear thunder. If you count to less than 30, you are in danger of being struck by lightning. If you are inside, stay inside. If you are outside, find shelter as quickly as possible.

The best policy is to plan ahead so you do not get caught outside in a storm. If you do get caught outdoors during a thunderstorm and are unable to take shelter in a building, take the following precautions:

• Try to take shelter in a vehicle with a solid metal roof. Close the windows and avoid contact with electrical conducting paths, such as the steering wheel, ignition, gear shifter, or radio.
• Avoid water, high ground, or open spaces.
• Do not seek shelter under tall, solitary trees; canopies; small picnic or rain shelters; or in any open-frame vehicles such as jeeps, convertibles, golf carts, tractors or mowers.
• Do not stand near power, light or flag poles, machinery, fences, gates, metal bleachers, or even other people. If you are in a group, spread out so that you are at least twenty feet apart.

After a storm, wait until 30 minutes has passed without lightning or thunder until you return outside.

If a person is struck by lightning, call 9-1-1 and care for the victim immediately. You are not in danger of being electrocuted by the victim.

For more information on outdoor electrical safety, visit SafeElectricity.org.