NICK KLINKENBERG

"On the 6 February 2001, I suffered electrocution by holding onto a farm fence at a parachute festival near Hamilton. (I found out after that the fence had been damaged by a truck, meaning that the current that was passing through this particular part was increased.) I immediately felt dazed and unsure of my steps. I grabbed hold of my right hand, which had turned partly black and purple from the electricity.

In extreme pain, I went to the doctor who was there. I was in shock, shaking; my right hand was so hot and felt like it was burning. I could feel electricity through my whole body as I lay receiving treatment. The doctor dressed both of my hands with crepe bandages as both of my hands had burn marks. I could not move my discoloured hands all weekend. After the weekend my left hand returned back to normal slowly, as I did not grab the wire with this hand. My right hand became discoloured in response to cold. My right upper limb, in its entirety, ached and tingled, and the limb stiffened up.

I went to a specialist and the doctors. The specialist wrote: “My impression is that there has been damage to the nerves to the right upper limb and this has affected their sensory motor and vasomotor functions. My expectation is that the nerves will slowly and steadily recover. However, whether recovery is complete or incomplete remains to be seen.” He advised me that there was no treatment available to repair my nerves and suggested approximately two years recovery. I went to physiotherapy to maintain strength and suppleness to the limb.

On 20 March, Weston Carryer prayed for me. God had mercy and touched both of my hands in such an awesome way. I fell under the Spirit as God’s anointing filled my body. I woke up with no pain. I walked outside of the church in the cold without my hands going purple. I could clap my hands, click my fingers and could shake hands which I was unable to do during the last two months. I can use both my hands fully with no pain."

—Annabel Greenslade