A Henderson man is searching for answers after a lightning strike outside of his home left him struggling to walk, experiencing memory loss, and unable to return to work.
James Badue was under his carport on July 20, showing his daughter how to collect and repurpose rainwater from their gutter.
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“I had a piece of wood at the end of the gutter to show her how you could control the water to make it move the way you want,” James Badue said. “As I was doing that, I turned my head, and then I saw a light.”
The 33-year-old said he saw a flash of light and then felt himself being thrown about four feet away underneath his carport. He said he was stunned at what happened as he heard his daughter shouting for help.
“All I heard her say was, ‘Daddy, Daddy! You got hit by lightning!” he said. “I had so much adrenaline that I jumped up and I felt like I wasn’t hit. It was like it went past my skin and was just in my body.”
Based on the family's description, Badue may have experienced what is known as a side flash, or side splash. The National Weather Service explains this type of lightning strike occurs when a taller object is struck by lightning and a portion of the current jumps to the victim, often standing within a few feet. Unlike a direct strike, a side flash may not leave obvious external injuries, like physical burns.
Lightning injuries can still affect the nervous system and have been associated with memory problems and other neurological or psychological symptoms.
James’ wife, Aaya Badue, said paramedics initially told the family James was okay.
“The paramedics came to the house and ran some tests. They said, ‘Your heart rate is really up, but that’s to be expected from the lightning strike, but you’re okay from what we can see,’” Aaya Badue said.
The Badues said they continued their day thinking James miraculously survived the strike unscathed. Days later, their concerns grew.
That’s when James Badue started experiencing what the family describes as ‘episodes’ – moments of extreme fatigue, and when his body enters a state of shock and paralysis.
“He would have shortness of breath, he would experience paralysis and he would feel like he couldn’t physically move,” Aaya Badue said. “He would get knocked out.”
The first time the family took him to the hospital, Aaya Badue shared he was sent home without being admitted.
“They ran several tests and they sent us home because all the tests came back normal,” she said.
Days after his initial hospital visit, James collapsed on the kitchen floor and was unable to move for several minutes, Aaya Badue said.
“We took him to the hospital again. On the way to the hospital, he was unconscious in the car,” she said.
James Badue said he could remember Aaya trying to talk to him in the car, but he couldn’t reply.
“It’s scary because I’ve been through a lot of things in life… I’ve been in a lot of dangerous situations,” James Badue said. “I lost fearing death at an early age, but when I fell down on the floor of the house and I couldn’t move and my wife was grabbing me by one arm and my kid is saying, ‘What’s wrong with Daddy?,’ and I couldn’t talk – that was the first time in my life I was scared to die.”
He continued, “When I finally got out of all of it, all I could do was just cry and hold my wife and say, ‘I’m scared.’”
James Badue also noticed changes in his short-term memory.
He recalled going into the kitchen to make lunch for his children, only to begin making it again after forgetting he had already done so. On another occasion, he made himself a drink, walked away and later made another because he didn't remember the first.
In the month after he experienced a lightning strike, James Badue went to three different hospitals. The family told WRAL he has had an EKG, MRI, EEG, and bloodwork – all returning normal results.
The National Lightning Safety Council reports “normal” test results are not unusual for lightning survivors. The council said neuropsychological testing for brain injuries is more useful than anatomic tests, like x-ray, CT scans or MRIs.
However, the Badues have learned specialized testing is expensive, and not offered by every medical provider.
“We are calling out for any resources, any support that we can get so that we can get a treatment plan established for him,” Aaya Badue said. “Right now he’s in excruciating pain every single day.”
Before the strike, James worked in construction, building and repairing homes and churches, and also grew food. His family described him as physically active and fiercely independent.
Now, he relies on a walker to move around his home.
“This is not the man that I know right now,” Aaya Badue said. “To see him lose his physical abilities, that has been the hardest thing. Even mentally, he’s not the same.”
Neither parent has been able to work since James’ symptoms have worsened. Aaya Badue has now become his full-time caregiver.
“It’s been really challenging. Neither of us have been able to work,” Aaya Badue said. “Neither one of us has any money coming in at the moment. We are in the process of applying for disability, but that takes time.”
The Badues say they are getting through 'day by day.'
The family started a GoFundMe to help offset the costs of continued medical expenses while they are out of work. They also said they are considering relocating back to Texas to be closer to extended family to help with childcare. Together, the couple have six children.
“We’re thankful to God and our faith is strong,” Aaya Badue said. “We believe that we’re going to overcome this and that James is going to be okay. I feel grateful and confident that he will be okay, but it’s going to be a process. This is not going to be an overnight fix.”
Lightning strikes are relatively rare. The National Weather Service estimates the odds of being struck by lightning in any given year are about 1 in 1.2 million. Over the course of a lifetime, however, the odds of knowing someone who is struck are about 1 in 1,530.