Ashley Judd recently opened up about the life-threatening accident she endured in the Congo rainforest last year, describing it as “catastrophic.”
During a conversation on the podcast s**, Body & Soul with host Kate Roberts, the actor shared the harrowing details of her ordeal.
While researching endangered bonobo apes in the Congolese rainforest in February 2021, Judd tripped over a fallen tree and suffered multiple fractures in her leg, along with nerve damage.
Reflecting on the incident, Judd expressed her disbelief at how the mind, body, and soul can withstand such unbearable pain.
She vividly recalled the moments following the accident, biting a stick, screaming, howling, and convulsing.
Despite the excruciating agony, she managed to stay conscious, although she longed for unconsciousness to escape the suffering.
During an Instagram Live session with Nicholas Kristof of The New York Times while recuperating in a South African ICU, Judd revealed that her headlamp malfunctioned, causing her to trip over the tree.
She instantly knew her leg had been broken, setting the stage for an arduous 55-hour battle for survival.
Immobile on the rainforest floor for five hours, Judd endured intense pain from her badly misshapen leg.
In her conversation with Roberts, she divulged just how close she came to losing her life.
Upon arrival at the hospital in South Africa, her leg lacked a pulse, and she was hemorrhaging.
If she had been transported to a European hospital instead, she might not have survived the journey due to severe bleeding.
Despite the immense suffering, Judd found solace in her mental fortitude.
The actress credited her meditation practice and healing journey for enabling her to endure the excruciating pain.
Throughout those 55 hours, she exhibited a certain grace, expressing gratitude and politeness even in the absence of pain relief or medication.
She didn’t blame others for her predicament and approached each moment with a mindful, one-breath-at-a-time mindset.
Judd’s incredible story of survival serves as a testament to the strength of the human spirit.
Her resilience and ability to find inner peace amidst chaos are awe-inspiring.
To listen to the full conversation between Judd and Roberts, tune in to the podcast s**, Body & Soul (starting at approximately the 40-minute mark).
In conclusion, Ashley Judd’s near-death experience in the Congo rainforest was a profound journey of survival and self-discovery.
Her remarkable ability to overcome immense pain and maintain composure under dire circumstances is a testament to the power of the human mind and spirit.
