Actress and humanitarian Ashley Judd, 53, looks back on her harrowing accident in the Congo in February 2021, emphasizing how crucial the life-saving intervention was during an interview on the podcast Sex, Body & Soul with Kate Roberts.
Judd broke her right leg in four places during a jungle hike in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Recounting the traumatic experience, she described enduring unbearable pain and the challenges of the 55-hour rescue mission.
"I don't know how the mind and the body and the soul come together to manage to endure the unendurable," Judd shared, revealing her coping mechanisms during the ordeal. Despite the agony, she never lost consciousness and showcased resilience.
Lying on the forest floor for five hours, Judd's "Congolese brothers" eventually reset her bones. They transported her in a hammock, navigating hills and rivers for an hour and a half before a six-hour motorcycle ride to reach a point for evacuation to the hospital.
Reflecting on her time in South Africa, where she spent nine days in the hospital, Judd revealed a critical detail: "And then I was medevaced to Tennessee. But when I got to South Africa, my leg didn't have a pulse, and I was hemorrhaging, and if I had been medevaced to Europe, I would've bled to death."
Throughout the challenging rescue, Judd acknowledged the role of her mental strength, developed through meditation and healing practices. She recognized a certain grace that accompanied her during those 55 hours, emphasizing the importance of reframing her expectations and approaching the situation one breath at a time.
Judd's ability to express gratitude and maintain composure during the crisis highlighted the resilience she cultivated through meditation and personal growth. The actress shared these insights on how her mental preparedness played a crucial role in navigating a life-threatening situation.
