RG Williams
Pigeon Forge - Mark twain has been quoted as saying, “The trouble ain't that there is too many fools, but that the lightning ain't distributed right.”
According to the National Weather Service, the odds of being struck by lightning once in a person's lifetime are one in 3, 000. Being struck twice? The odds soar to one in 9 million.
Keeping those figures in mind, statistically speaking, Pigeon Forge was home to a few of the worlds “unluckiest” people, as it hosted the 21st annual world conference of the Lightning Strike and Electrical Shock Survivors International (LSESSI) , held June 9-11 at Mainstay Suites
Approximately 110 people were in attendance at the conference, which has been held in Pigeon Forge for the last 16 years.
9 out of 10 Lightning strike victims survive, and their stories can be fascinating- “No one ever told me you weren't supposed to be on a land-line telephone during an electrical storm.” Says Dana, who was struck 12 years ago. “So, there I was, calling in a carryout pizza order, when I noticed that the lightening and thunder was getting more intense, and coming more frequently. Then I heard static on the phone line, which kept getting louder and louder. Then I heard what sounded like a loud explosion, and at the same time I notice a bright white light at my feet, which was football, shaped, and had spikes. It blew me across the floor, and I was knocked out for a few seconds.”
One member travelled from North Bay, Ontario, Canada, to get to this conference. We have had members come from China, Africa, Switzerland, Australia, Japan, Ireland, England and many other countries over the years. The annual event is the highlight of the group’s calendar and provides the chance to meet new members and their families as well as seeing old friends. Over 3 days there were several “round robin” type meet and greets as well as daily guest speakers. Topics ranged from the emotional; Floridian member Bill Guthrie’s - What LS&ESSI, Inc. means to me" to the discussion of near death experiences led by Virginian, Bruce Grayson M.D.
Question and answer sessions were followed by support groups for Women, Men, families, friends and youth. These groups provide an outlet for survivors to speak with others about their shared experiences, etc. All in attendance had ample time to socialize and visit the area.
The Group itself was formed in the mid-80s, when a former bank clerk named Steve Marshburn Sr., started reaching out to other survivors whom he read about in the newspaper. After a period of time Mashburn and his wife Joyce, started an organization for lightning-strike and electric-shock survivors from their home in N.C. In a previous magazine interview Mr. Mashburn has been quoted as saying that “he'd just as soon forget” one year's Orlando conference, which was virtually boycotted by group members who didn't want to go to central Florida, - America’s lightning capital.
After being shocked through the phone line Dana was found unconscious by her son, who called for help. The local Emergency room confirmed the injuries as being casused by Lightning strike. Dana feels the effects to this day;
“After the strike I notice a strange side effect. It's almost as if I get Extrasensory Perception (ESP), every once in a while. There have been times where I speak someone's name, someone that I haven't been heard from or seen in MANY years and all of a sudden, they walk in the door. Or, the time I KNEW my plumbing was going to back up in the laundry room. And sure enough, that night, it happened. I've had eerie feelings about things, just before they actually happen. I've actually created a list (some where in my house) of these incident because I couldn't believe it myself! Most people that know me are amazed. And so am I. This periodic thing only started AFTER my lightening incident.”
LSESSI is a non profit group headquartered in Jacksonville, NC. The group’s purpose is to provide a resource of continuous support and education in health and well-being for survivors and their families.
To provide educational programs about the prevention of Lightning and Electrical injuries in the general public but specifically children.
To promote and fund medical research to benefit and better understand survivors and their medical problems.
To become the preeminent resource for the treatment and recovery from these injuries.
Contact:
Lightning Strike and Electric Shock Survivors International Inc.
P.O. Box 1156
Jacksonville, North Carolina 28541-1156, USA
Phone and Fax: (910) 346-4708
Email: info@lightning-strike.org
steve@lightning-strike.org
smarshburnsr@yahoo.com
Lightning Strike and Electric Shock Survivors International Inc. is a 501C3 organization registered in North Carolina, USA.
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