The first day of school is always a shock, but University of West Florida student Emma Eggler got an extra-strong dose.
She was admitted to the University of Alabama Hospital in Birmingham where doctors told her she was extremely lucky her heart didn’t stop.
“A lot of doctors told me I should buy a lottery ticket because I was lucky,” she said. Emma says she didn’t feel anything, that she just woke up on the ground. The lighting strike hit her chest and traveled down the left side of her body, tearing her shirt open and causing her Apple Watch to explode and burn her wrist. She was paralyzed from the legs down and Senior Nelson Libbert called 911 for help.
“We definitely feel like God performed a miracle for her. That is the only explanation for why she is still with us,” said Erin Eggler, Emma’s mother.
Emma Eggler has been released from the hospital and has regained movement in her legs. She is expected to return to classes next week.
