The Luckiest Man in Maine

The New England Legends podcast explores the extraordinary true story of Edwin Robinson, a 62-year-old man from Falmouth, Maine, who became known as the 'luckiest man in Maine' after a miraculous lightning strike in 1980. After surviving a devastating truck accident that left him legally blind and deaf, Edwin was struck by lightning while searching for his chicken, Tuck Tuck, during a storm. To everyone’s astonishment, the lightning restored his sight and hearing, cured his blindness and deafness, and even triggered hair regrowth on his bald head. His story spread rapidly, landing him on Good Morning America and inspiring countless people with his message: never give up hope. Despite surviving a heart attack in 1981, Edwin lived to age 83, leaving behind a legacy of resilience and wonder. The hosts reflect on the rare but real phenomenon of lightning-induced neurological recovery, comparing it to other documented cases and discussing the brain’s mysterious capacity for healing and adaptation. They also caution against seeking such 'miracles' through dangerous exposure to storms, emphasizing that while lightning strikes are survivable (90% non-fatal), they remain extremely dangerous and unpredictable.