Woman struck by lightning at Country Thunder returns to festival a year later

KENOSHA COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A year after being struck by lightning at Country Thunder Music Festival, 23-year-old Brittany Prehn is back at the festival and ready to enjoy the weekend with family and friends. 

Prehn was on her cell phone at the campground the night of July 20, 2018 when she was hit by a bolt of lightning. The strike traveled from her phone to her head, down her body and exited her boots. 

It's been a long year for the Illinois woman, filled with doctors appointments, stress, surgeries, and trips to Mayo Clinic. Even today, electricity remains in her body. 

She has PTSD and panic attacks and a cochlear implant to allow her to hear. She also has memory issues and pain. Despite all she's been through, she's remaining optimistic in her outlook on life and her recovery. 

She didn't think twice about returning to Country Thunder a year later. 

"In my head I think no, you should not be ashamed of this, you shouldn't be embarrassed, you shouldn't feel guilty, you shouldn't feel sorry. You should just push forward and that's what keeps me going," Prehn said. "I know God put me here for a reason and gave me a second chance and I pray every night and I hope and am so grateful that he gave me a second chance. I'm going to find out why he put me back on this earth and I'm not going to take it for granted." 

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Brittany and her family with her medical bills.