Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
We tend to have a bad idea about what is a real risk and what just stands out as a danger. Most of us know that heart disease is a major killer, but few people are as afraid of it as being hit by lightning (you have a 1 in 15,300 chance of being struck at least once in your life,) even though a heart attack is really an unfortunately common way to go.
Someone asked “What's the one thing you thought could never happen to you, but did?” and netizens shared their stories. From poignant to funny, get comfortable as you scroll through, upvote your favorites and be sure to comment your thoughts and experiences below.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
I made it past the age of 18.
I was severely bullied in middle school and was very s***idal. My parents celebrate every birthday as a huge accomplishment because it didn't seem like I'd make it.
I MADE IT TO 28 YALL.
Donald 1 year ago
Just turned 30 yesterday, almost didn't make it but here we are. F**k Depression.
Spencer's slave no longer 1 year ago
Pandas are here for you x. Congrats on your amazing achievement!
Load More Replies...
Jenni Howard 1 year ago
Currently 38, NEVER expected to get so old but i love it. Turned 30 & it was like an epiphany, I'm an adult & f**k everyone else
Charlotte 1 year ago (edited)
Am now 50 and for me, every decade has been better than the last - hang in there
Load More Replies...
Ashley Harrold 1 year ago
Congratulations to everyone who has found the strength to keep going. You're worth it <3
Mrs Irish Mom 1 year ago
My kid is 13 starting secondary school after being billied in 5th class, home schooled in 6th class by myself cos of bullies... fresh school and fresh start for my loving thoughtful kind funny kid 🤞🙏
RELATED:
#2
I’ve made it to 1 year and 29 days selfharm free!! I have never been clean for this long so I’m really proud of myself. My mom and I celebrated my year clean time at Dave and Busters.
Huddo's sister 1 year ago
My sister hit 5 years self harm free a couple of years ago! Being out of certain situations made a lot of difference, as did counselling and meds.
HI, I'M A SHOUTY MAN 1 year ago
Yay!! I'm nearly at 100 days (94 today), and I know I'm going to keep going this time... I told one of my friends, and he's supporting me so much.
Load More Replies...
Jenni Howard 1 year ago
Just over 4yrs SH free. Lockdown helped weed our our toxic people in my life
Janet Martinez 1 year ago
I'm still self harming but it's getting less and less prominent now- going to therapy and counseling really helps
Judy Reynolds 1 year ago
Did you know taking scabs off wounds is self-harming? I was 50 before I learned that, and am still fighting the urge.
Jess Smith 1 year ago
But they're self regenerating things to pick at, I say, looking at the thing on my leg from a scab I got over six months ago and isn't even fun to pick at anymore.
Load More Replies... #3
Lost myself and my life to alcoholism before hitting 30. Somehow survived rock bottom and looking at 4 years sober on Independence Day!
#4
I never thought I would be 56 years old and raising my grandchildren. Surprise! I am now adopting a 13, 8, and 7 year old. They all have complex ptsd. The youngest has autism. All positive vibes, energy, and juju appreciated!
Mrs Irish Mom 1 year ago
Positive vibes and juju sent ur way ❤️ they will keep you young, they are better with a young granny than a s#it family, you got this 🥳
Veldrin Dalharil 1 year ago
All the good vibes your way, thank you for stepping up in the face of violence. Help them.
talliloo 1 year ago
have had my grandson since he was 3 months old. while his mom was absent my son wasn't but, having been a single parent myself, i was well aware of the struggle. my son and i agreed that it was best to keep the stability of him staying with me and my son was never an ''absent parent' unless it was due to work schedules. in some ways, being older was a benefit because i had more patience than when i was younger. but i sure could use the younger body to keep up with him!
Brian Droste 1 year ago
I have a friend that has to be in his fifties. He and his wife is fostering and adopted young children. The oldest is 13/14. The youngest is 3/4 years old.
#5
Suffering with anorexia. And recovering from anorexia.
We watched an eating disorder documentary in school and I remember seeing footage of people in hospital crying over having to eat chips and thinking wtf is wrong with them?
A few years later being in and out of eating disorder units was the next 15 years of my life.
I was so entrenched I thought I’d never recover. Hell, I had consultants tell me I’d be a revolving door patient for the rest of my life. As I was leaving my last hospital admission the consultant told me he’d see me back in a month.
That was 5 years ago.
It’s not be smooth sailing but I’m in full recovery now, with a full time job I love, able to enjoy life and eat freely. The life of hospitals is a distant memory.
Ace 1 year ago
I think that was after "the next 15 years". And if it was the last time maybe it helped a bit?
Load More Replies... Wren 1 year ago
I relate, and I'm only 14. Been hospitalized over six times the past two years. Still struggling right now. Don't know if I'll ever get past it.
Spencer's slave no longer 1 year ago
You have an entire world wide Panda community who will be here for you if you want. We'll listen and be your International Cheerleaders if it helps you. We are here if you need us. With love to you Wren XO
Load More Replies...
HI, I'M A SHOUTY MAN 1 year ago
I'm just leaving the worst of an eating disorder now... I will recover.
Veldrin Dalharil 1 year ago
CONGRATULATIONS. My best friend is a recovered anorexic and I help watch her every day (roommates). I know the struggle from the outside, if you every need to reach out to anyone please do so. Food can be hard.
Mrs Irish Mom 1 year ago
Had an eating disorder as a 14yo, doc said it was anorexia but i just didnt feel hungry at all and they didnt do anything, of school with anorexia and that was that 🤷
#6
Getting MS (multiple sclerosis).
I've always been the healthiest, strongest, fittest, most athletic one of all my friends and family.
This can all change overnight. It can happen to anyone.
Please be kind to those with disabilities, it could be you tomorrow.
Huddo's sister 1 year ago
I wholeheartedly agree with the last sentence. Disability hits all types of people, there's nothing you can do about it either.
Linda R 1 year ago
I was diagnosed when I was in my fifties. The worst part for me is having so much trouble playing my flute, since my lift side is very weak now. I still play every day, but it doesn't sound great anymore, as I can't hold down the keys very long. Exercise helps, but it doesn't restore what was lost.
talliloo 1 year ago
yes!!! i posted earlier that my grandson came to me when he was 3 months old. about two weeks prior to this event i was diagnosed with a progessive degenerative bone disease. initially, it is shocking to hear the news but there wasn't any immediate physical restrictions. however, over time it has been a struggle. worst moment for me was when my then husband saw me for the first time in a wheelchair. without saying a word he walked away. he later tried to tell me that it was just the shock of the situation. a few years later i left because it was evident that while i was still able to move fairly well i had him as a support system. but, as it progressed - not so much. discovered i am a hell of a lot stronger mentally and emotionally without having the extra 'baggage'. so yes, be kind to those with disabilities and remember that not all disabilities can be seen right away.
nomnomborkbork 1 year ago
I'm right there too. I've lived with it for nearly 30 years now. Not for the faint of heart. Wishing OP and everyone else with MS all the very best.
Janet Martinez 1 year ago
My whole family is sure that my dad has this...he's been through thick & thin, the military & used to carry the heaviest loads, physically & emotionally...all went downhill after his mom died on my birthday, which is the 24th of September...his muscles started suddenly getting more sore, weaker, his body all over is in constant pain, he suddenly has trouble walking, has to use a cane and walker.. he had a small stroke once..been trying hard to take care of him so that the big one doesn't happen. He has to get surgery on his brain soon, but it's been hard to get him seen in the hospital because he's Hispanic, the nurses blamed all his issues on his past alcoholism, he's been sober for 9 years- we're poor as well, $10 is considered expensive to us, but we're getting some support from his father, my mom's side & his physical therapist. This is just the minimum of the issues me and my family are facing...But remember, you are all strong, powerful & resilient. I believe in you all 💖💜
Lesley Shore 1 year ago
Me too. I was 47. I know it was all related to stress. Don't sweat the small stuff people!
SkippityBoppityBoo 1 year ago
I've replied in a different post on FB - "We're all just one bad slip, trip, fall or accident away from something possibly catastrophic happening."... Going from being an ex competitive swimmer, doing long walks, hikes etc to being disabled with crutches and calipers has been a huge adjustment. Both body and mind. My swimming training though helped get me through the first lot of incredibly painful physiotherapy sessions. "Okay, you did 5 laps of the bars yesterday, today let's aim for 8. If you do it, you do it. If you don't? Well, aim for that tomorrow."... Btw? My favourite t-shirt to wear during those sessions was - "In training for the next apocalypse" because all this happened during the Global Pandemic 😉
#7
Bird's s**t hit me in the mouth while driving once. I pulled over and insta-vom’d. Called my boss and told her I would be late… I was interning at a bank at the time. She told me to take the day off, but also to get a lottery ticket. Apparently, getting s**t on by a bird is good luck? Anyhoo… I bought two, $1 scratch offs.—-Won $50 on both. My grandma lived close by, so I showered there. I scratched the tickets while smoking a cigarette with her in her kitchen. Good memory.
#8
I have a few big T's like being SA'd as a kid, teen, adult... Abusive parents. Being homeless for a time. Being in a DV relationship. Lost two babies. Lots of trauma. But truly the one thing that's happened that I never thought would? Finding my husband and the happiness we have together.
There's some cheese for ya.
Widdershins66 1 year ago
... for what you've been through x (Jess, you didn't deserve that down vote, you meant well 🤗)
Load More Replies...
#9
I was diagnosed with premature ovarian failure. And I grieved over the loss of never being a mother. My heart would melt (and break) every time one of my students would accidentally call me mom.
Fast forward 4 years from that point, and thanks to donor egg IVF I am currently 11 weeks pregnant. I'm so grateful for this possibility and for going on this journey.
Huddo's sister 1 year ago
My stepsister has donated eggs a few times- I think three live births and one still birth. It started with wanting to help a friend, then she felt it was important to help as many people as possible. She knew she didn't want more kids so it made it easier I think, though her husband (now ex for unrelated reasons) found her mood swings from the hormones difficult though.
Veldrin Dalharil 1 year ago
All the protective and warm luck your way. Delicate chance that, and all the hopes to keeping it!
#10
Got cancer. Wish me luck!
Roan The Demon Kitty 1 year ago
I'm in the same boat, and hope that OP beats the s**t out of it.
#11
Becoming homeless.
Dragon mama 1 year ago
This should be higher. It's so easy for it to happen and so so hard to come out of.
Sean Sean 1 year ago
Most people have no concept of how hard it is to get out of being homeless, and just how ineffective most of the homeless programs in the USA are. Hell, in the USA right now roughly 53% of homeless people have jobs, but still can't afford housing.
Load More Replies...
Janet Martinez 1 year ago
I used to be homeless for most of my childhood...along with my sister- and other trauma. But I know it is really really hard, you need to keep your head up high. I promise you if you believe, are confident in ways, meet someone, have hope, a little care and love and keep going, some things will get better. Never give up, you are too strong for that 💗
#12
A tornado damaged my roof while I was trying to sell my house. Two years later, the next house burned down. Six months after that, a massive ice storm dropped four trees and completely crushed the next house. In that same year, I took an antibiotic that destroyed my connective tissue, my husband got third-degree burns in the house fire, and my son got bit by a copper head snake, my grandfather died of covid, and my car caught fire. I've learned to never, ever assume that something won't happen to you.
SkippityBoppityBoo 1 year ago (edited)
What the all holy...??? Omg... Here I am sometimes feeling sorry for myself on bad days with pain but... Oh jeez... I've, this is going to possibly sound horrible but? I've always thought even during the worst days in hospital and when I got home... "Okay, it's not good but it could be a whole lot worse." and now I feel awful for thinking that after reading this
ThatOneFish She/Her 1 year ago
"Well at least it can't get worse!........ Damn it. Damn it. Damn it. Damn. Damn it. DAMN IT!"
Kathy simpson 1 year ago
I hope things have been better for you and that the bad luck has stopped.
#13
I was 51. I had the day off and was feeling great. Decided to take an afternoon nap. As soon as my head hit the pillow I had a massive heart attack that destroyed 40% of my heart. I woke up 3 days later on a ventilator and had no idea what the heck happened.
#14
I got fat, lol.
When you’re slim/fit pretty much your whole life, you take it for granted in many ways. It was very easy (at least it was for me) to fall into a rut of bad habits for a variety of reasons and now I’m in a place where I’ve got a decent amount of weight to lose and I feel like I’m back at square one when it comes to fitness.
If you don’t use it, you can in fact, lose it.
Huddo's sister 1 year ago
When I was a teenager I was told, 'just wait until you hit your 20s' and I thought my genetics made that unlikely, plus I was never a big eater. Then I started antidepressants when I was 20 and it's been downhill (or up weight) from there.
Linda R 1 year ago
All of my family members were slender until we hit our late forties. All of them gained a lot of weight after that. When I put on 20 pounds in a relatively short time after I turned 50, I decided to do what I could to reverse the process. I still ate what I wanted, but cut the portion size. Dropped the 20 pounds, and have stayed between 128 and 130 for the past 20 years (I'm 5'6"). It would have been much harder had I put it off, I think. You start to think your fast metabolism won't change, but it does!
#15
Got attacked by an entire swarm of k*ller bees on top of a mountain. Almost fell off the mountain running down the trail and nearly considered jumping in my panic. Was raking bees out of my hair as they tried to get to my scalp and had to cover my face with my shirt to prevent them from climbing into my face holes. Thought I was gonna die. Got pretty scraped up and stung as I clawed my way down the trail without stopping. I never knew the sound of a swarm could be so loud and terrifying. I had nightmares for weeks after!
Another hiker in the same area had been attacked by k*ller bees a few years prior and they stayed on his body for 8 hours, preventing rescuers from recovering his body.
I now have an extreme fear of flying insects lol.
Javelina Poppers 1 year ago (edited)
An old man two blocks over was stung to death by a swarm that took residence inside his barbecue. I've now become quite adept at eliminating swarms in mine and my neighbors yards with a 99.99% kill ratio. I have young children and aren't taking any chances.
Kira Okah 1 year ago
Are you killing every swarm, or just Africanised Honey Bee swarms? Beause Western Honey Bee swarms should be just removed by an apiarist - it's much safer and means that it is less likely for AHBs to move into the area.
Load More Replies...
Kira Okah 1 year ago
aka Africanised Honey Bee, a hybrid bee created in Brazil in an effort to produce a bee that could make more honey; they escaped quarantine when a visitor removed the queen excluders being used in the apiary and accidentally released 26 swarms. They are now spread across the Americas; thy are more defensive, more likely to swarm, and will chase further than their Western Honey Bee siblings. They are motly wild now, though are sometimes kept by beekeepers though as some beekeepers claim they do make more honey.
Brian Droste 1 year ago (edited)
I seen a program maybe about bees. Or it could have been a news report. Not sure. Anyway somebody did a experiment with regular bees and killer bees. Somebody put a bee suit on and disturb a regular bees nest to see how far the bees would follow him. Don't remember the distant but it wasn't extremely far. Did the same with killer bees. The killer bees follow the person way much further. So you especially don't want to be attacked by killer bees.
#16
I had leukemia as a child and was told I'd never be able to have kids due to radiation and chemo therapy. I have 2 healthy kids who graduated from high school. So to the doctors at mc master in hamilton thank you.
The Dusty Rhino 1 year ago
They're amazing at McMaster. I have 2 nephews, & a niece all born at McMaster. They were extremely premature. All 3 are adults now. Thanks to McMaster.
Julia Mckinney 1 year ago
Ok, ok, now I have to give a shout-out to Doernbecher's Children's Hospital in Portland, OR. They fixed my older daughter's coarctation of the aorta when she was 8.
Colleen Glim 1 year ago
It has good areas and bad areas just like any other city.
Load More Replies... #17
Never would have thought that I would be disabled. I had a stroke from a massive brain bleed in 2020, it caused me to be hemiplegic, and wheelchair bound and unable to take care of myself. It f*****g sucks. I’m living in a nursing home in my mid thirties surrounded by elderly people who are completely unaware of their surroundings but it’s better now than it was last year and getting better because I’m moving into a house where I will receive direct support services from my state’s Choices program-10 more days, almost to single digits!
Huddo's sister 1 year ago
It is crazy to me, the number of young people with disabilities who have to go into 'aged care' nursing homes because there is no one else for them to go. They usually end up so lonely, not having friends their own age or being able to connect with the older residents. One man, in his 40s who had had multiple strokes, was in my pop's nursing home in the mid 2000s. My pop became friendly with him, he came to church with us when we picked my pop up, and ended up coming to a lot of our family meals and celebrations. We lost contact with him when my pop died and I am sure his world would have been a lot smaller and lonelier after that.
Brian Droste 1 year ago
Why didn't you or other family members still go see him?
Load More Replies... #18
Losing my mom.
Like yeah it’s expected to outlive your parents, it’s “the natural way”.
But losing my mom last year before I even turned 21 from s***ide…destroyed me. I thought she would always be here. I thought she would grow old, be there when I get married and have kids…
It still doesn’t feel real…hug your mom and tell her you love her. You’ll miss those “annoying” calls and texts.
Wysteria_Rose 1 year ago
Witnessed a family I'm friends with lose their matriarch/mom/dear aunt. It was due to a stroke. The scary thing is, she was the healthiest in their family. They said her blood pressure had gone up a few days prior but not high enough to cause any true concern. Saw her one day while we were out to eat food, two days later, she's in a coma and would later pass.
lynne berry 1 year ago
My mum died when I was 27.35 years later still miss her every day.I think of the good times and the love she gave me for those years. Make a good life so she would be proud of you.big hugs
ROSESARERED 1 year ago
We never know the last day, tell those you love that you love them, never miss the chance for a hug, cuppa, catch up. Lost my dad and mum last year, 10 months apart...still tell myself, I should call mum and....😪. A big part of grief is acknowledging that they won't be there for Christmas, the next birthday, wedding, spring..whatever you know they are missing, and missed =grief
Robert Stockdell 1 year ago
I miss both my folks who have both passed in the last two years...but I had them till they were both in their 90's...RIP Mom and Dad!!!
talliloo 1 year ago
losing a parent at any time is hard but when it is self inflicted - can't imagine how difficult that was. and, i am not sure if losing them when you are young is harder than losing them when your are older. my mom passed when i was 61 and it felt so strange that she had always been literally right next door for so long. my dad just turned 82 and i am dreading the day he is gone because, again, he has always been there.
#19
I never thought I would lose a child, but I did. My son died unexpectedly 9-1/2 months ago. I will never get over it.
UPDATE: Many thanks to all of you who offered your condolences.
#20
My husband of almost 20 years left because I was sick and needed surgery.
Wysteria_Rose 1 year ago
I see so much of this. A spouse gets cancer or a serious illness and the other person opts out saying "they can't bear to be around it" while abandoning the other person to go through it ALONE. It's freaking infuriating.
Bill Hankel 1 year ago
So sorry this happened ... I can't imagine abandoning my wife when she needed me most. We've both had a couple health challenges in our 32 years of marriage, and we both have each other's back no matter what!
Roan The Demon Kitty 1 year ago
I'm so sorry to OP that their husband is such a sack of s**t, I hope they recover well and find someone new and better to them <3
#21
Getting a really serious case of pneumonia as an active healthy 40 year old.
I went from feeling a bit ill , developing a cough to a coma in intensive care on life support in just 3 days!
Spent 5 weeks in a coma with full lung and then kidney failure, and another 3 doing physio and recovering.
Julia Mckinney 1 year ago
Yeah, almost happened to me. On a friday, I shopped an antique show and realized as I getting ready to drive the 2 hours back home that the tickle in my throat was now a sore throat and a cough showed up as I was calling my husband to say i was on my way home. Saturday, I stayed at home, paying attention to how my chest sounded and went into urgent care sunday. The cough that'd started friday night had gone into my chest so fast, the doctor told me if I'd waitd 1 more day, he'd have hospitalized me. I was so glad I responded fast to the antibiotics and the infection went away. The cough lingered for a few weeks and I needed codeine to quell it but I did get better. At least the cough didn't make me hurt the muscles holding my ribs together like another time.
#22
I won a full oven and top unit in a kitchen sale lottery. I was 8.
Sven Grammersdorf 1 year ago
I won an inflatable kayak from a contest at a grocery store in 1988 when I was 4 years old
#23
In 1996 or so, I went to my wife's company Christmas party. While there, a candle got close to some of the table decorations, and I put out the small fire with 2-3 napkins dipped in a water glass.
I never expected to do this at least two more times, each at a formal banquet, each with a candle igniting decorations. The most recent (2018), I put out the small fire with iced tea, not water, and did not break the discussion.
TribbleThinking 1 year ago (edited)
Your expertise and smoothness of execution are improving. 😄
Sven Horlemann 1 year ago
Could OP give us a heads-up what his next appointments are, so we can skip them?
#24
I slipped on a banana skin, no joke.
Huddo's sister 1 year ago
I could definitely see myself doing that- the kids I look after have no understanding of picking up after themselves and there is often fruit on the hall floor which gets slippery!
Cal Jones 1 year ago
Back in 2019 I ran the Vienna Marathon. At one water station they were giving out bananas. As well as the ground being wet from the water people had dropped, there were banana peels everywhere. I couldn't believe anyone thought that this was a good idea. (I didn't slip, thankfully).
#25
Getting laid off unexpectedly after years of loyalty to my company. It was a wake-up call about job security and the need to always be prepared.
Javelina Poppers 1 year ago
You're already in shock and then you meet the HR witch from hell handling the paperwork and then she looks you dead in eye and asks, "So are you gonna cry now?" Yes it actually happened to me.
Skogsrået 1 year ago
The heartless witch was probably hoping to feed of your tears. Sorry this happend to you.
Load More Replies... DennyS (denzoren) 1 year ago
I got laid off too after literally spending money to keep the unit going. Learnt a valuable lesson that day.
YakFactory 1 year ago
You can be loyal to your employer, but they're not loyal to you. They really don't care.
Liz The Biz 1 year ago
I spent a year trialling a new system at work and worked my a*s off to make it a success. On the day of my birthday I was called up to my manager's office where I was told that the new system was a great success and head office thanked me for all my hard work but now they needed to make redundancies and my name was at the top of the list.
Feathered Dinosaur 1 year ago
Got laid off from my last job because I was pumping breast milk and my Boss said it was ok (child was older than 12 months and you only have the right to do so on company time the first 12 months, I didn't know this at the time). When my 6 monhs probation ended they just laid me off with some excuses, as they're not obligated to give any reasons. I knew why. Turns out they did me one of the biggest favors of my life, I was able to get a much better job far away, and thus also far away from my child's narcissistic, toxic sperm donor who tried to control me. Distance has finally stopped the harassment and my new boss is an angel 😇
#26
Bad stuff: mass shooting.
Good stuff: I never thought I would get married, but we're coming up on five years in the fall.
#27
Bitten on the face by a wild python while trying to take a shower.
TribbleThinking 1 year ago
Wow. I think yours is winning the "That's wild!" award so far (and the pun is incidental. 😄)
Michael Largey 1 year ago
In a shower, H is for hot and C is for cold. It's that P valve you want to let alone.
Steve Hall 1 year ago
Even without my glasses, I can see a snake in the shower before I get in.
#28
Achieve my biggest dreams and still struggle with depression.
For the longest time I told myself if I got a well paying job, if a had a great partner, if I lived in that trendy neighborhood, if I had cool friends that actually liked going out.
I have all that now and still struggle sometimes.
Skogsrået 1 year ago
Sometimes reaching your goals is not enough, please seek professional help.
Charlotte 1 year ago
And don't be afraid to try medication - it can make such a difference
Load More Replies... Wysteria_Rose 1 year ago
This is what I used to think. Sometimes, depression doesn't stem from external triggers (like reaching goals, struggling with obtaining accomplishments). I had horrible bouts of depression that I knew were going to end me if I didn't get help. It was distressing because I had just obtained a great new job and better pay, things were looking up, but my mental health took a dive. Therapist helped me figure out sometimes it's just your brain not processing the right chemicals. Medicine helped me immensely along with therapy. Not every solution is for everyone but getting treatment is a start.
Huddo's sister 1 year ago
Depression and other mental illnesses are rarely completely 'cured'. So far the only one I know of is my brother who had OCD when he was 6 onwards. He took himself off his meds when he started high school without telling us and has never had a problem with it since. Once you struggle once, the likelihood of you relapsing increases a lot. Although it can be situational and once that situation is over you don't have another occurrence, usually lifestyle changes on their own aren't enough.
#29
House fire. All the things you are “sure” that you’ll grab? Nope. Outside at 2 am in February, in my pjs. I had my phone and my husband, and that’s it. No one was hurt, which is the most important factor. Neighbor's house caught our house on fire--inner city, 100+ year old wooden houses.
A Jones 1 year ago
It's terrifying. Years ago, I can kind of relate as I had to leave my home early morning once due to my apartment neighbor had left the stove on and there was a fire. People were knocking on doors and that was scary and surreal. I only grabbed my keys and phone that were on the table next to the front door.
SkippityBoppityBoo 1 year ago
Someone here in our block kept setting off the smoke alarms, it happened so often that it had to be deliberate and it was. Once it was at 1.40am after three other times from 10.40pm onwards that night. I phoned our Housing Association officers about it and spoke to the police too. It's since stopped. The one at 1.40am though? I quickly grabbed my rucksack and smaller bag, threw in clothes and underwear, emptied my medication basket into it, grabbed my purse as well as my phone charger and had my phone in my hand after putting my calipers on and my crutches are always by my front door anyway. Went outside and couldn't see or smell any smoke. Eventually I came back inside, unpacked everything and tried to calm... I grew up in the far north of Canada and there was a huge forest fire the summer before we moved to the UK. We lost almost an entire generation of males to it because they went out to fight it... Gave their lives so we could have ours...
SkippityBoppityBoo 1 year ago
Which I did tell the police and the Housing Officers about. I did majorly rant at the Housing Officer who said, "People are allowed to cook whenever they want"... Me - "Oh really? Tell them to buy a bloody microwave meal next time!!! And I'm sure that YOU YOURSELF would not be exactly happy to have this happen to YOU at 1.40am! I'm disabled so that was really bloody arsed scary because it's not like I can exactly run! You might live in white picket fence land out in suburbia but we don't. So sort it out." Then hung up... Which was when I kinda wished I had an old flip phone so I could've snapped it shut or an old rotary phone to be able to slam it down in a fit of pique!... Gosh I can be arsey at times!
Load More Replies... 
#30
I was shot, also winning a 1000$ in the lottery 3 times from the same kind of ticket.
Huddo's sister 1 year ago
Noth would be fairly unlikely for me- I don't gamble at all and don't think I know anyone who has a gun and we have good laws here
Jess Smith 1 year ago
Where do you live? And do you have good healthcare? And if so can I come?
Load More Replies... #31
Three human botfly eggs were deposited into my shoulder by a mosquito in Belize. Six weeks later, the newly formed maggots burrowed their way out of my flesh. The entire time, i thought it was spider bites. Nope.
Bored Trash Panda 1 year ago
........ please excuse me.. .just gonna go throw up in the corner...
#32
I got old.
Judy Reynolds 1 year ago
Happens to the best of us, if we live long enough. But it beats the heck out of the alternatives!
#33
My ex husband of 12 years got court summons because he was being convicted of internet child s*x crimes, then my 24 year old sister died in the same week.
I trusted him, everyone trusted him. He got 7 years. He turned out to be an actual sociopath, using my naivety and trauma from growing up in a narcissistic family dynamic to manipulate me my entire life.
My sister had down syndrome, she was amazing and I expected her to at least live until she was 50. I miss her so much.
I still struggle with both and have severe loss trauma. I can't fully feel happy because I'm so afraid of everything going so wrong again.
meeeeeeeeeeee 1 year ago
Been there with the stopping yourself from being happy...as if that would change things somehow, it won't. Life will still take what ever it wants from you whenever it wants, you may as well enjoy those things while you can.
#34
I witnessed a car fly off the railings onto the freeway on ramp I was on. The guy was stuck inside his vehicle upside down and I broke him out of it with a log splitting maul I had in my truck at the time.
#35
Staying married to someone after they did things that I shouldn’t have tolerated and stuck around after.
It’s easy to judge other people’s relationships from the outside and have your whole perspective change when it happens to you.
ROSESARERED 1 year ago
It definitely like being in a middle of a storm...I didn't see it till I got out, people were trying to tell me, I thought they were blowing things out of proportion...sun's much brighter once I was out
#36
Brain tumor at 21. I’ve had six brain surgeries so far and I’m 50 now.
Huddo's sister 1 year ago
My friend's husband died last year from a brain tumour. He was only 30 when diagnosed and had only been married for about 6 months. He died less than a year after diagnosis.
#37
Traveling overseas for vacation. For the longest time growing up I thought my only option for going overseas was to get into military service. Never thought I’d be able to afford to do it otherwise. But I did and have done it several times. .
Huddo's sister 1 year ago
I did my one and most likely only trip overseas at the end of 2019- start of 2020. I doubt I could ever afford it again.
#38
SA. I admire those that tell me about their stories. Some days just feels like I’m trying to survive other days are lighter and more manageable. I lose my appetite and sex drive a lot. And intimacy is harder in relationships for me.
Allie Herz 1 year ago
I have been there. I completely understand. Things will get better I promise. ❤️🩹
#39
My gf tried to k*ll me by locking the door and setting an apartment on fire. Didn't expect that, but I managed to find an extra key in the drawer blinded by smoke while I couldn't breathe. She's my ex now, wouldn't recommend, 4/10.
Michael Largey 1 year ago
Puzzling. Locked apartment doors will open from the inside just by turning the k**b - no need for a key.
TribbleThinking 1 year ago
Wow at what happened. And wow at the score of 4. How did the experience scrape ANY points and how is it not a zero?
#40
I turned my mental health around. I thought I would commit s***ide by 23.. I just couldn't see a light at the end of the tunnel despite medication, therapy, a great partner, exercise and diet.
I had a huge mental breakdown, was hospitalised, diagnosed with BPD. I ended up moving states and starting over. Now I'm 25 and have the best friends anyone could ask for. I haven't been s***idal in a year now.. I'm even back working fulltime like a normal adult. I actually smile now.
#41
Being in a domestically violent relationship.
Huddo's sister 1 year ago
This, unfortunately, is something that could happen to anyone in a relationship. You never know how people could change or whether they are hiding their true personalities. Makes it hard to see it from the outside too. I never thought my best friend's husband would be abusive and I missed it even though I was living with them when it started.
Daniela Lavanza 1 year ago
This! I have a case near me, it took me years to know. It iturned out it was her who treated him lihe s**t. He succeeded, she got involved in his business "to help" and now she controls much and tells him repeatedly that he would be nothing without her. Alongside much more psychological violence. As a friend, I always found her weird and boastful but it took me time to learn the awful truth. As a tall strong man, he never dared to speak save with me, years after. Poor guy.
Load More Replies... Liz The Biz 1 year ago
I never thought it would happen to me. He was a narcissist and the charm personified in front of others. That's why nobody, not even the police and my own mother believed me when I tried to tell them what he was like behind closed doors. It took years for me to find the courage to leave him and even then it wasn't the end of it.
#42
My baby being one of the unlucky babies with trisomy 13. My Angel in heaven will always be missed and loved.
#43
I got robbed at gun point while working in a bakery at 3am on Christmas eve of 2012.
Rebekah 1 year ago
True story: Gpa worked at a bakery. Gma took care of their 6 kids, and clearly overworked. One day Gpa calls to tell Gma that he will be late because "I got held up at work." She gets SO angry that worked came before family. Only when he got home did Gma understand that he got HELD UP at the bakery.
Michael Largey 1 year ago
Anyone who says to me "Your money or your life" foolishly assumes that I possess the first and value the second.
#44
Getting pregnant. There was a problem on my partner's end.
Somehow, two weeks after my mom died, we conceived and I'm now 31 weeks pregnant.
#45
Depression.
Thought it was a joke, thought it was an excuse. God depressed and diagnosed with treatment resistant MDD. I am fortunate to be in a place where I no longer need meds but, damn. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.
TribbleThinking 1 year ago
I am sorry you were depressed and am glad you got better. But I sometimes think people don't have very good enemies!
#46
I met the most perfect man for me who is so gentle with me. I was in an abusive relationship for six years, it ended ten years ago and I KNEW I'd never get married. He proposed eight months in. We hjust celebrated our first wedding anniversary. We literally have the perfect marriage. We NEVER fight. It's the best. He is the best.
Judy Reynolds 1 year ago
I'm hoping you never fight because you are both mature enough to talk out your problems.
#47
Having a kid with a serious health condition. I had two who were perfectly healthy and it never occurred to me that my third would be any different.
Kari Panda 1 year ago
Honestly, that’s a big part of why I don’t want a second one, although I‘d love to. I was already worried sick during my first pregnancy, and I‘ll not test my luck again.
#48
Addiction.
#49
I never thought i’d lose my best friend so soon, but it happened, my lifelong best friend died 3 months ago
so many people responded and i thank you all for your well wishes and kind words, and to all who shared their stories of losing a loved one, im deeply sorry and we will get through this together! thank you all for the kind responses! so many comments to go through and reply to!
Huddo's sister 1 year ago
Unfortunately (though it also has some benefits) I became used to loss from an early age, so it doesn't shock me though who and when can still surprise me. I lost my nan when I was 6, older brother when I was 12, friend from suicide on my first day of year 12, younger brother at 20 and numerous others after that. There are ones you anticipate (like grandparents and my brothers who had degenerative disabilities) which are easier to handle, though of course you still grieve (sometimes before it even happens). The ones that are unexpected can leave you stunned for days/weeks.
#50
Cancer at 19, losing my mom at 24, losing my aunt at 21, the list goes on. It's rough man.
Roan The Demon Kitty 1 year ago
I know this feeling, my grandfather died one year, then my grandmother succumbed to her cancer the next year... now I'm diagnosed with cancer. But all we can do is fight it, for those we lost, to stay strong for them too. I often see robins about when I visit my oncologist, so I think of the saying "when a robin appears a loved one is near" and I like to think it's my grandmother keeping an eye on me <3
#51
Have a special needs child.
#52
I never thought I'd be in an abusive relationship, I was always a strong person that didn't take any s**t but this man completely changed who I was. Worst year of my life!
Liz The Biz 1 year ago
It can happen to anybody from any walk of life, even the most confident people.
Huddo's sister 1 year ago
I am glad it was only a year, and they managed to survive it! Those type of predators rely on being able to change your behaviour and isolating you
#53
I never thought I could get any uglier... but nature finds a way 😭.
#54
I got manipulated by someone who stole everything from me. My child, my home, my cars, my possessions, everything. And now just trying to get my child back seems impossible, and I'll be in debt till the day I die, maybe even after.
What do you think ?
Sky Render 1 year ago (edited)
One day I got sick of always feeling exhausted and decided to see if I could track down why. That day I had been doing alright, so I had a bag of mini Oreos and within half an hour I was exhausted seemingly out of nowhere again. Within 2 days of that I had narrowed down the cause of my perpetual exhaustion: a lifelong undiagnosed allergy to corn. I've now been corn-free 2 weeks and I am still in shock that 1. I actually don't feel like death warmed over on a daily basis, and 2. I was basically being poisoned and poisoning myself for the last 43 years. I can't believe I had a food allergy my entire life when I spent all those years thinking I would never have one!
Myoviridae 1 year ago
Oh man, corn is in a ton of things! I only figured out the new gluten intolerance by being super sick after eating a bagel. I am currently going through all the FODMAP challenges. So far, fresh artichokes and snap peas are OUT.
Load More Replies...
Trisec Tebeakesse 1 year ago
Got cancer. NBD, it runs in the family - no male has lived past 75 in my line. But I had it at age 46. It would have killed me, except in manifested as a tumor atop my appendix, which caused appendicitis, which is how it was found. Twelve years cancer-free now.
Jennifer Smith 1 year ago
I hit a boat while driving. Was behind a car when it swerved into a lane that was ending. I thought that was weird then bam, hit a kayak that was in the road. I sat there stunned for a moment then got out and moved the kayak out of the way and continued on my way.
talliloo 1 year ago
i commented on couple of posts here and, frankly, it's kind of soothing in a perverse way to know that you shared an experience that you thought no one else had. as for my 'never thought it could happen' moment: was hooking my bra in the back and apparently a bone spur near my elbow severed my ulner nerve. had never experienced nerve pain and never want to again. had to have the nerve reattached and translocated over the bone to avoid a repeat. good times....good times.
John L 1 year ago (edited)
Had a friend at work. We were talking about an incident where a woman was being sexually harassed. The guy in question was, of course, fired. He then half joked that he wouldn't mind being harassed. I looked at him seriously in the eye, and told him, that you may think you don't mind, but you don't know until it happens to you. Wouldn't you know it, a couple of months later a woman started sexually harassing him and he was bothered.....watch what you wish for. He did give me a "you told me so" accolade.... She wasn't fired (blatant double standard), but she left the company shortly after...turned out she went on to "date" someone else in the company.
Jack McHue 1 year ago
Grand mal seizure at 48. I had been having brief episodes where I couldn't think correctly. I was aware of everything going on around me and what people were saying to me, but my ability to verbally respond were nil. I also couldn't read beyond one word at a time and couldn't put even two words together into a concept (like "blue sky"). I thought they were something to do with headaches and migraines, but then I had a grand mal. Turns out those episodes were complex partial seizures that were being caused by a small brain tumor on my short-term memory center. (Also the area where my language center is.) Thankfully, the tumor is most likely benign and hasn't shown any signs of growth. EVERYONE: if you have any odd changes in your consciousness or thinking skills, GET YOURSELF CHECKED OUT ASAP.
Stephanie Did It 1 year ago (edited)
There is a certain date in the year that haunts me. On this date the following things have happened to me in different years but on this same date: Ectopic pregnancy ruptured. Husband left me. Heart attack. Broken kneecap. Asthma ER & ICU. There are probably more, as this has been happening from 1978-2022. I don't go anywhere or do anything on this date anymore, not that it makes a difference.
Justin Tyme 1 year ago
When I was 14 years old, I got struck by lightning, stuck in quicksand, bitten by a rattlesnake, and run over by a van.
Allie Herz 1 year ago
I never thought that anything bad would happen to the horses I grew up riding. They had a fire a few days after Christmas in 2017 and all 24 horses in the barn suffocated to death in their stalls before help arrived.
Sky Render 1 year ago (edited)
One day I got sick of always feeling exhausted and decided to see if I could track down why. That day I had been doing alright, so I had a bag of mini Oreos and within half an hour I was exhausted seemingly out of nowhere again. Within 2 days of that I had narrowed down the cause of my perpetual exhaustion: a lifelong undiagnosed allergy to corn. I've now been corn-free 2 weeks and I am still in shock that 1. I actually don't feel like death warmed over on a daily basis, and 2. I was basically being poisoned and poisoning myself for the last 43 years. I can't believe I had a food allergy my entire life when I spent all those years thinking I would never have one!
Myoviridae 1 year ago
Oh man, corn is in a ton of things! I only figured out the new gluten intolerance by being super sick after eating a bagel. I am currently going through all the FODMAP challenges. So far, fresh artichokes and snap peas are OUT.
Load More Replies... Trisec Tebeakesse 1 year ago
Got cancer. NBD, it runs in the family - no male has lived past 75 in my line. But I had it at age 46. It would have killed me, except in manifested as a tumor atop my appendix, which caused appendicitis, which is how it was found. Twelve years cancer-free now.
Jennifer Smith 1 year ago
I hit a boat while driving. Was behind a car when it swerved into a lane that was ending. I thought that was weird then bam, hit a kayak that was in the road. I sat there stunned for a moment then got out and moved the kayak out of the way and continued on my way.
talliloo 1 year ago
i commented on couple of posts here and, frankly, it's kind of soothing in a perverse way to know that you shared an experience that you thought no one else had. as for my 'never thought it could happen' moment: was hooking my bra in the back and apparently a bone spur near my elbow severed my ulner nerve. had never experienced nerve pain and never want to again. had to have the nerve reattached and translocated over the bone to avoid a repeat. good times....good times.
John L 1 year ago (edited)
Had a friend at work. We were talking about an incident where a woman was being sexually harassed. The guy in question was, of course, fired. He then half joked that he wouldn't mind being harassed. I looked at him seriously in the eye, and told him, that you may think you don't mind, but you don't know until it happens to you. Wouldn't you know it, a couple of months later a woman started sexually harassing him and he was bothered.....watch what you wish for. He did give me a "you told me so" accolade.... She wasn't fired (blatant double standard), but she left the company shortly after...turned out she went on to "date" someone else in the company.
Jack McHue 1 year ago
Grand mal seizure at 48. I had been having brief episodes where I couldn't think correctly. I was aware of everything going on around me and what people were saying to me, but my ability to verbally respond were nil. I also couldn't read beyond one word at a time and couldn't put even two words together into a concept (like "blue sky"). I thought they were something to do with headaches and migraines, but then I had a grand mal. Turns out those episodes were complex partial seizures that were being caused by a small brain tumor on my short-term memory center. (Also the area where my language center is.) Thankfully, the tumor is most likely benign and hasn't shown any signs of growth. EVERYONE: if you have any odd changes in your consciousness or thinking skills, GET YOURSELF CHECKED OUT ASAP.
Stephanie Did It 1 year ago (edited)
There is a certain date in the year that haunts me. On this date the following things have happened to me in different years but on this same date: Ectopic pregnancy ruptured. Husband left me. Heart attack. Broken kneecap. Asthma ER & ICU. There are probably more, as this has been happening from 1978-2022. I don't go anywhere or do anything on this date anymore, not that it makes a difference.
Justin Tyme 1 year ago
When I was 14 years old, I got struck by lightning, stuck in quicksand, bitten by a rattlesnake, and run over by a van.
Allie Herz 1 year ago
I never thought that anything bad would happen to the horses I grew up riding. They had a fire a few days after Christmas in 2017 and all 24 horses in the barn suffocated to death in their stalls before help arrived.
You May Like 46 Facts About Life That Might Change How You See Everything “Depression Levels Correlate With Intelligence”: 48 Facts People Wish They Didn’t Know “No One Warned Me”: 84 Times People Bought A House To Realize It Was Actually The Easiest Part
Gabija Palšytė
Ieva Pečiulytė
Viktorija Ošikaitė
Related on Bored Panda
