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Melissa Strong, was electrocuted at home, while working on a design project related to opening her now-acclaimed restaurant (Bird & Jim) in Estes Park, CO. She died briefly and came back, experiencing a forest and tunnel! When she came back, the damage was so severe that charred bones in her hands were visible, jutting out where fingers once were. Doctors initially told her she would likely only have four fingers left — her pinkies and index fingers. A passionate, elite climber, this was difficult news for Melissa to swallow.

The recovery was long and brutal, both mentally and physically. At one point in the hospital, her arms were surgically sewn together, and she was riding a stationary bike in that condition just trying to keep her body moving and her mind sane. Six months later, she managed to open her first restaurant, and eventually found her way back to rock climbing.

She wrote a memoir about the experience, published by Falcon, called Climbing Through: A Courageous Story of Grit, Healing, and Second Chances (March 3, 2026, paperback). Returning to climbing became a huge part of rebuilding both physically and mentally.

This is a story of immense strength and inspiration! Thank you Melissa!

Site: http://www.melissastrong.com/

Book:Climbing Through: A Courageous Story of Grit, Healing, and Second Chances 

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