Some days are harder than others, but overall Ferguson has the mindset that life is a gift.
“It’s also tough when you realize you were really close to not being here again; it changes your perspective on things,” he said.
Ferguson, who is expecting to graduate in December with a bachelor's degree in business administration, was walking home to a house on Trinity Avenue on the UD campus when he was struck by lightning on April 8. His injuries included a broken jaw, from when he fell, and burns to over 35 percent of his body, according to the university. Several people in the area rushed to help him and administered CPR.
Ferguson is still recovering from his injuries. He still feels the sensation of pins and needles from his knees to his toes. He went through intense physical therapy to relearn how to walk.
“Now that I am walking, the goal is to be able to start jogging and running, to be able to get back to things that I love such as basketball, baseball (and) running; any outdoor activity,” Ferguson said.
Ferguson is among the 90 percent of people nationwide who are struck by lightning and survive, according to the National Weather Service. So far this year, 22 lightning-related deaths have been reported, compared to 26 last year and 23 reported in 2013.
Ohio ranked fourth, with 146 deaths reported, for the highest number of lightning strike fatalities between 1959 and 2013, according to a report made available through the National Weather Service.
Now, Ferguson will never think of storms the same way, he said. Ferguson didn’t pay much attention to them before he was injured, but now they sometimes cause him to lose sleep.
“You just really feel it in your core,” Ferguson said.
His friend and fellow UD student, 21-year old Dominic Sanfilippo, said he was in shock when he heard Ferguson had been struck by lightning.
“A lot of people could not do as much physically to help him, but the emotional support and communicative support from the community was really outstanding to see,” Sanfilippo said.
While recovering from his injuries, Ferguson received hundreds of letters, Sanfilippio said. He also received a signed jersey from Andrew McCutchen of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
A GoFundMe online account was established online to help cover Ferguson’s medical costs and has received nearly $17,500 within the last four months.
Ferguson, a Pittsburgh resident, said he felt a lot of support when he returned to campus this weekend, making him proud to call himself a UD student.
During the last four months, Ferguson said he has spent his time thinking about God’s plan for his life, and right now he’s passionate about helping hospital patients.
Ferguson had the support of friends and family during his recovery, and said it’s heartbreaking to watch others who do not have similar support systems available to them.
“I’m really am feeling called to give back in some kind of way,” he said.
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