McLain on Mend from Lightning

Tracy McClain, from Apalachicola, is working on regaining strength in his shoulder, neck and back following his surviving a Feb. 26 lightning strike.

But that may not be as easy as it sounds.

"Any individual struck by lightning can have long-term residual effects that can affect ones ability to think, remember, speak and perform the routines of normal activity just like someone who may have had a stroke," said Apalachicola physician Dr. Stephen Miniat. "This can include personality changes and emotional disruption. Our understanding is not always sufficient to predict which will be temporary, long-term or permanent.

McClain's mishap happened after a storm came through while he was oystering, and when he reached out to grab tongs falling overboard, lightning struck his left arm and went through his upper body.

Miniat said statistics show men are struck by lightning four times more often than women, and that Florida has twice as many lightning casualties (deaths and injuries combined) as any other state.

Most lightning casualties occur in the afternoon, with two-thirds between noon and 4 p.m. Sunday has 24 percent more deaths than other days, followed by Wednesday. Lightning reports reach their peak in July.

The doctor said the leading cause of immediate death from lightning is cardiac or cardiopulmonary arrest, with neurological disorders either transient or delayed, or permanent clinical problems.

In addition to partial or complete (but temporary) paralysis, victims of lightning strikes can experience amnesia, anxiety, confusion and seizures, brain damage, neuropathy and other pain syndromes, spinal cord injury, sleep and memory disorders, disturbances in concentration, irritability, depression, headaches, tiring easily, and even post traumatic stress disorder.

The Franklin County Seafood Workers Association has opened a benefit account in the name of Tracy McClain at Gulf State Community Bank to help in offsetting his medical bills.