Kelsey Abernathy McLean, 53, from Philadelphia, US, stopped breathing for three minutes after a piece of steak lodged in her throat. She says she was transported to the 'other side' for a life review and now has no fear of death.
During a family barbecue, Kelsey took her first bite of steak, which got stuck in her airway. Despite the Heimlich manoeuvre, the steak wouldn't budge. She recalls drifting into darkness and being wrapped in a cocoon of love.
Life Review on the Other Side
Kelsey described seeing snippets of her life like a movie on a large screen. 'I could actually feel the emotions I had caused others by my actions; both good and bad. My life review showed me the karma I had created,' she said.
She felt sadness for hurting people and pride for being loving. 'I learned that material possessions, status and money doesn't matter in life. And it struck me as absurd that I'd spent so much of my life caring about things you can't take with you when you die.'
Guardian Angel Photo
Before the ordeal, Kelsey had been looking at old family photos. A photo of her husband, Rob, tucked in her wallet, she believes acted as a 'guardian angel' to bring her back. Suddenly, a beam of bright light radiated through her.
'I'd been passed out for three minutes and 30 seconds – at four minutes, brain damage begins,' she said. Medics called it a 'miracle' she survived, with only a few bruised ribs.
Choking Statistics
According to the National Institutes of Health, full airway blockage choking is the fourth leading cause of unintentional injury death in the United States. Around 5,500 people die from it each year.
New Attitude to Life
Kelsey now cuts her food into smaller bites, chews thoroughly, and has taken a CPR class with her family. 'The main thing I've learned is to forgive myself and others, be kinder and savour every blessed moment,' she said.
'I used to be terrified of dying, but now I'm no longer afraid after having a glimpse of the other side. I'm afraid of not living out my full life here and not appreciating what I have. And I've realised that karma is most certainly real.'
