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- [00:00]
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Interviewer
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Kennedy Bingham
name is Kennedy Bingham and I was involved in a car accident where I was ejected out of the vehicle and hanging a power line 30 foot in the air upside down for almost an hour, if not an hour, fully conscious.
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Interviewer
That was literally going to be my question. Were you conscious the whole time?
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Kennedy Bingham
The whole time? Yeah. And my memory is like not all the way there. Technically I can't remember the full hour of what exactly happened. But I've spoke with the EMTs that were there and they were like, yeah, you were communicative the entire time. Eyes open, everything fully there.
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Interviewer
Crazy, Crazy. Oh my gosh. Okay, so run me through it.
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Kennedy Bingham
Okay, so a little bit before my accident, like this is the part that I guess people can relate to a little bit more. But I was 16 years old when it happened and so at this point I lived in a really small town and small towns can be really hard. Just like people love to talk, they love to make gossip and rumors and all this stuff. And at this point I was like trying to figure out who I was because that's like typical. As a 16 year old girl, you're trying to figure out who your friends are and kind of what you want and at this point I did feel like pretty lost and lonely cuz also my dad had just been diagnosed with cancer at this point and so I was really struggling with that because I felt like me and my dad were always very close and my friends that I had also started making pretty poor choices unfortunately and I was like oh, maybe I should just go and who cares like because at this point me and my parents also didn't like get along super well. Just I was very stubborn and it's a hard age.
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Interviewer
I feel like at that age where we don't care about. I feel like anything. And we're just. Our mind is like not where it is in like 10 years from then.
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Kennedy Bingham
Yeah. And so that's definitely what was happening. And so I was just like, I don't really care. But luckily I still had enough self respect for my parents, so I was like, okay, like I, I'll keep it in reigns. And I still was a good kid, but I was also struggling with depression at this point. I had thoughts of like suicide very often. Just like, oh, it would be so much easier. I had an eating disorder, so I'd go all day every day off of energy drinks, gum, and just maybe one meal a day. Just. Cause I don't know, I just was like in a really, really hard mental spot. So that's what's, I think so empowering about my story is like then I go through something so horrific and then how I came out at the end. So I just like really put my time into my friends and distance myself from my family a lot. And that's just like where my focus was. And I think that's kind of what like also probably got me there just with the poor decisions. And there's always a quote I look back on and it says, the pain you've been feeling can't compare to the joy that's coming. Because I wish at that point in my life I could go back and tell myself that. And I would probably be like, what do you mean? There's no way.
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Interviewer
Right?
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Kennedy Bingham
But it's true. And so then to get to the accident, it happened on May 22 of 2021. So the five year anniversary is literally coming up so soon. It's crazy. It's even been five years. It feels like forever, girl. But at the same time, like, oh
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Interviewer
my gosh, still five years isn't that long.
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Kennedy Bingham
No, no. And I actually, we have good friends. Been friends for probably a year, if not longer. And he had like no idea it had been five years. And he was like. I thought that was like, I'm not gonna lie, like eight years ago or something. And I was like half a life. Are you okay? Like I'm. And I was like, yeah, I'm good. He was like, that's just like so short and like where you're at. And I was like, yeah, it's just crazy, like, right? I just have been cruising ever since trying to accomplish things. But I definitely should have lost my life that day. Not just my leg because obviously I have a prosthetic now and my arms paralyzed. You can see all the scarring on it was torn off in the accident, just hanging on by the skin on my back. So, like, very tremendous injuries. At this point. I thought I was invincible. Like, I. Most kids think that way, though. Like in high school, I remember the speakers would come in and be like, oh, this is my story. And I would always be like, oh, sucks for you. Like, not.
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Interviewer
I would suck at you. I know what you mean. I was. It's funny you bring that up because I just filmed an episode where she was talking about something different. Not like accidents. But I was saying, you know, when these speakers come in and we're in high school, we don't think twice. It's almost a burden for us to go to these assemblies and hear it. No one's actually listening.
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Kennedy Bingham
Yeah.
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Interviewer
And it sucks. It's like there. I wish there was a way to make kids actually listen and understand. But at that age, I figured it out though.
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Kennedy Bingham
Like, I have because I used to be that kid.
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Interviewer
Yeah.
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Kennedy Bingham
And so, like, I used to go to those seven and be like, this is so dumb. Like, this never happened to me.
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Interviewer
Right.
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Kennedy Bingham
But then, like, I had that knowledge of, like, I know what it feels like to think that way. How can I impact these kids? So now when I go to high schools, I've had. I had. I went to Canada and I spoke at this high school. And like, teachers were like, we wanted you to come out here. We're so sorry. Because our kids are jerks. Like, they are the worst kids you'll probably encounter ever. Like, they're disrespectful, they're rude. And I was like, really? And they were like, yeah. So like, just do your best. If it doesn't hit, it doesn't hit. That's fine. Like, whatever. And I spoke and I was like, oh, I got it. Like, don't even worry. And these kids, like few boys and they came and sat in the front row and they were like laughing at me at first and like, like not just like, you're not gonna do anything. Yeah.
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Interviewer
Right. Like, not. Didn't care. Yeah.
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Kennedy Bingham
They were crying by the end of my speech, like bawley. And they came up to me and they were like, we cannot believe. Like. And they were like, you don't realize what you did for us. And like, that has happened at almost every high school.
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Interviewer
I love that it's so important, I think to your age makes a big difference.
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Kennedy Bingham
I think that's a huge thing because, like most of the time it's like 30 year olds are like 40 and
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Interviewer
it's like that's, it's not relatable.
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Kennedy Bingham
Yeah. And like this happened to me when I was at 16. So I hope that can still carry the effect no matter how long I do it. But like, I think right now it just hits. Cause it's like, wow, she's young too. Like she's our age. Because I'm only 21, so I'm still very young. But yeah, to get in the ax into the stuff of the accident. It was a Saturday. My mom had actually was headed to Utah to go help some family members with some yard work. And she'd asked me if I would go with her. But I was working at a little cafe at the time and I was like, oh, I can't. I made responsibilities for my shift. And that was so. No. And she had a really sickening feeling like I needed to go with her, but at this point we didn't get along super well. And so she's like, I'm not gonna fight it. And so I stayed and she said she ended up calling me after my shift and was like, okay, like after you get home from work, I need you to like stay home with your dad. Because he just got in radiation and wasn't feeling too hot. And so I was like, yeah, sure, whatever. Then my friends came over because that's just how it was. And they were like, hey, we should go do something. And I was having a hard day and so I went and checked him by dad. I was like, hey, are you good? If I just go for a little bit, I probably won't be gone long. And he was like, yeah, I'm good. And he was just watching a movie or something. And so I was like, okay, whatever. We won't be gone too long, right? So we went in town, kind of got food and then down by our my house, it's like, I think a four mile drive. It's straight shot and just a few stop signs. You can go to the base of the mountain and watch the sunsets and just look over the whole town. It's really pretty. And so we were up there just hanging out. And my friend, his mom in the backseat had called because I was with two friends. And she was like, you need to come home. And we were like, it's 9 o' clock on a Saturday night. Like, this is so odd. And she's like, yeah, you just need to come. So we're like, okay, well can we at least like go move it to your house? And she was like, yeah, sure. So we needed to go back to My house to pick up his car. And in that process, I hate this part of the story because it's just, like, sucky. But it's the reality of, like, 16. And when your emotions. And, like, it's embarrassing. But, like, I also know this was supposed to happen for a reason. So if this is, like, how it was supposed to happen, I guess, like, that's the way it is. But I had a boyfriend at the time. We'd broken up, like, two days before crying because I think my friend had, like, turned and showed me, like, a story or something of him with another girl or something. It's so stupid. And, like, just. But whatever, it was supposed to happen. And I started crying. And we live in very, very rural area where the roads are very narrow and there's no lines on them, and they just kind of, like, go off into, like, a ditch. Started go off the left side of the road, over corrected too far and went off the right, and it kind of yanked me in. And from what I think the cops have said, there was, like, also, like, a little jump.
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Interviewer
And so you were the one driving the car.
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Kennedy Bingham
Yeah.
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Interviewer
Okay, so she showed you the story while you were driving.
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Kennedy Bingham
Yeah, just quick and, like, okay. She had no. Like, it wasn't like, oh, look at this, forever. It was just, like, very fast. And I, like, caught my emotions. And, like, we were not thinking. And so then, yeah, we caught air, and the car just hit, like, the power line, the left side of the vehicle. And those roads back there are 50, 55 miles an hour. We were going 58. And I don't actually remember. Like, my memory cuts off, like, a mile before the accident. Like, I can't remember anything, like, the actual. No, nothing still to this day. This is just, like, things that, like, the police have put together and told. And so that flipped us sideways. We started flipping and rolling. And every time that that car would hit the ground, it was always on my side. And being the driver, that's why my left side, I think, is totally destroyed. Like, even my ear got, like, ripped off, like, the earlobe part. Like, just super weird. But my ride's completely fine. And so I think at one of those points when it was flipping in the air, I got ejected. All of us three kids were rejected. I think probably all out of the door, they thought out the sunroof, which I don't like. We would have made it out the sunroof without getting scratched on our goods. Yeah. My good side, at least. And so I wasn't on the ground, like, the rest of My friends, I got thrown out and was hanging in a power line. The picture was crazy. Like, you can zoom in and you'll see, like, my leg hanging in front of my face.
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Interviewer
I've seen the picture. And you know what? I was going to ask you, like, because, you know, with the Internet nowadays, you never know what's real. And I was like, I have to ask her, like, if this is the actual photo.
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Kennedy Bingham
Yeah. And it's crazy that this happened before, like, AI came out because, like, no one would believe me if this came out in the past two years. Like, everyone would be like, this is. And even people did. Like, this happened in 2021. Like, chatgpt AI images.
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Interviewer
Literally. Yeah, but that's still. I was like, I have to ask her. Like, is it?
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Kennedy Bingham
Yeah. And, like, I had a video that got almost 60 million views, if not 60. Like, it's so close to that. And I just got called a liar. Horrendous things. Because, like, people thought I was kidding. And I was like, you can, like, totally believe what you want, but, like, I don't know how I'd make this up. And, like, I have proof. Like, I have a video I've never posted.
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Interviewer
Look at me as well, please. Like, why would I.
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Kennedy Bingham
People would be like, your prosthetic changes sides. And I was like, the camera, front and back camera, like, it revert, like, changes.
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Interviewer
Yeah.
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Kennedy Bingham
But they would, like, be like, people are horrible. And they're like, yeah, you wrap that prosthetic leg. And I was like, yes, I wrap my ankle the size of a quarter. Like, me. Literally. Thank you. I don't know. Super weird, but, yeah. So grateful that this all happened before that because, like, yeah, there's no way I would be able to, like, have the platform I do now because I would be called a liar. And it'd be really hard after going through something so horrendous.
- [11:45]
Interviewer
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Kennedy Bingham
It's pretty flat. Like it was just had the momentum of it. And then supposedly what the cop said is that when a car is moving like that, it carries momentum. It gets faster before it slows down.
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Interviewer
So were you, I guess the way you were ejected, it was just like
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Kennedy Bingham
it would hit and then it was like one of those times while the. My side of the vehicle was in the air. It just threw me.
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Interviewer
Okay.
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Kennedy Bingham
Because I wasn't wearing a seatbelt. That's not like a super normal thing where I'm from. Just like. Like I was never raised that way. Like my parents never really did. Like just small town. Like you just.
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Interviewer
Yeah.
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Kennedy Bingham
So like now obviously wear my seatbelt, right? But yeah, so then I was ejected. I was Hanging in the air, my legs broken in front of my face. And I remember waking up immediately, and it was dark, even though in the picture, it's not totally dark yet. I was upside down. I knew I was uncomfortable, not necessarily in pain.
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Interviewer
Do you remember what the first thought was when you woke up?
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Kennedy Bingham
Yeah. Yeah. And I was. So I was up there, and immediately, like, my injuries were just gushing blood, like, so much. And a lot of everyone's like, oh, how didn't you bleed out? Well, that's also, like, a crazy story. So my main artery, my leg was ripped, and if you rip a main artery, you're dead within it, like, not very long. The power line had pinched it off when I was up there, so I didn't bleed out my main artery. My arm was also ripped, like, totally ripped apart. And when I got ejected, my arms charred because it electrocuted me, and it cauterized that main artery, and so it stopped the bleeding from getting electric.
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Interviewer
Literally. You're meant to be like, it's insane.
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Kennedy Bingham
Yeah. Wild.
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Interviewer
That, like, that is like, okay, I'm supposed to still be here. What the hell?
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Kennedy Bingham
Yeah. Crazy. And so, like, the chances of, like, two main arteries ripping and, like, somehow stopping the bleeding themselves or, like, with higher power is just crazy. And so there's obviously still blood from, like, the moments of being thrown and, like, the blood that's still, like, in this limb, that was. And that's why I don't think this arm, like, ever got, like, totally 100, because it just had no blood for it for so long. And same thing with my leg. That's why they had to amputate it. So I was, like, wiping the blood out of my eyes, like, so I could see, because it was just running. And I was wiping out my mouth, my nose, because it was, like, drowning me.
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Interviewer
Yeah.
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Kennedy Bingham
Because I was upside down, so just, like, running. And I was like, what the heck? Like, And I just knew it was, like, a bad situation. And I started yelling for help because both my friends were knocked out at the bottom. I couldn't hear them. And I'm faced the opposite way, so I can't see them. They can see me. But as I said, they were knocked out. And so I start calling for help. And luckily, there was. It was right in front of a house, not super far from a house, and their power had, like, flickered. And they were like, oh, that's super weird. And they had a guest over, so, like, he's like, oh, I'll just head out. And they saw, like, my lights out or the car lights out in the field. And then they heard me, and they were like, oh, my gosh. And so they came under, and they were like, there's no way. Like, this is real. And so literally, the guy was just like, I don't know what to do. And the daughter. Neither of them were religious, I don't think, for 20, 30 years, something like that. And we're from very religious people. I'm also religious. The girl just dropped down to her knees and started praying. She, like, she had no idea what to do. She was just like, right, this is what I can do. Yeah. And so she starts praying. And the dad was like. He was like, I guess I'll pray, too. And he, like, ended up talking to my dad after and was like, your daughter's the reason. Like, I found God again after all these years. And after they finished their prayer, they were like, well, like, I'll call 91 1. So they called 91 1, and maybe they. I think another guy did. I don't know. By that time, people started accumulating. 911 got called. They grabbed a tarp, holding it underneath me in case that skin were to break, because, like, it wasn't a bone holding me up. Like, the bone was completely. It was literally skin like that. Is it holding my entire body?
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Interviewer
I mean, I would assume with the pressure, that would be in, like, sharpness.
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Kennedy Bingham
Yeah. Because have you, like, power lines, right?
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Interviewer
They're not soft. Yeah.
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Kennedy Bingham
They're very rough and sharp. And so, like, very crazy how I even stayed up for there that long. But I think, like, the loss of blood was also how I stayed there because, like, it wasn't all going to my head. Like, it was coming out at the same time.
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Interviewer
Your friends, were they still unconscious?
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Kennedy Bingham
I think, at that point they had woken up, and they'd got help, like, pretty fast because they're on the ground. Like, they're accessible for the EMTs. So they all showed up, and I've actually. I spoke with the one EMT that, like, got me off the wire, and he was like. I remember showing up on that scene because if you listen to the 911 call, which I'll send it to you so you can afford it. And I think they say, possible broken leg, and they like. And she's like. That's what they tell the EMTs. And they're like, no, she's hanging from a power line. She's like, possible broken leg.
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Interviewer
Right?
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Kennedy Bingham
And they're like. So they show up on scene thinking, oh, this isn't that bad. Yeah, no. And so they show up, and she's
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Interviewer
also stuck in the air, like, you know.
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Kennedy Bingham
Yeah. And so he's like. He shows up, and he was like, she's dead, right? And they were like, no. And he was like, you're lying. Yes, she is. And he was like, I dare you to go over and talk to her. So he walks over to me, stands underneath me. And I was like, hi. Like, are you going to help me? And he was like. Like, had no words. Yeah, he was just like, oh, my gosh. Like, there's no way this is real life. And he was like, yeah, you fully had conversations with me. And like, I've never been the type, not where we're from, to say, sir, ma', am, nothing. But that's, like, what I was saying to people is like, sir, will you help me? And so I think that's just, like, the delusion of being through something so traumatic. I don't know. And, yeah, so they eventually helped me. And I also had another crazy memory. It was obviously, my phone is gone in the field with the car. Like, I don't have it up there with me, but I had a dream, like, FaceTime call came through, and it was a picture of God, like, putting his hand through the water. And it's, like, my favorite picture of him. And there was an accept and decline button. And I don't feel, like, all the pain, but I, like, remember feeling like my future was very uncertain, that I was uncomfortable, like, the whole thing. And so I was just like, I want to go home. So I just started slamming the accept button, and it wasn't registering that I was clicking it. And I was like, please, please, please, please, like, please, like, I just want to go. And that just kept ringing, not recognizing. And eventually the screen went black, and I saw my reflection, and I was just bruised and bloody and, like, in rough shape. And I just started to cry because I was like, oh, my gosh. Like, I have to be here. Like, this is what I'm supposed to do. And at that point, it was very. In the beginning, didn't think I was gonna be up there for an hour.
- [20:37]
Interviewer
Were you scared or do you. Were you kind of, like, was it like, more like, out of body?
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Kennedy Bingham
It was like, out of body.
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Interviewer
Okay.
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Kennedy Bingham
Like, it's just weird. And town started showing up because, like, out there, people see lights and there's nothing to do that they just show up. Like, they will drive to go see where the lights are, and they will, like, watch. And so people are, like, whipping out their phones, taking Pictures, taking videos like you can't help, which I get. But, like, go home. Like, give me some sort of, like, humility, like, I don't know, leave me something.
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Interviewer
Or like, if you're not there to help, go get away. Seriously. Oh, my gosh.
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Kennedy Bingham
Yeah. And so like, it felt like being a zoo animal kind of just like.
- [21:14]
Interviewer
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- [21:40]
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Kennedy Bingham
Wow. Like, thank you for literally here, for.
- [22:13]
Interviewer
I might not survive, but I hope you guys got the good picture.
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Kennedy Bingham
Yeah. Yeah. And we found out there was a video, actually, because someone told us, like, oh, this lady has a video. And we were like, what do you mean she took a video? We found this out like months after.
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Interviewer
Yeah.
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Kennedy Bingham
And she. So we contacted her and we're like, why do you have a video that's disgusting? Like, you need to delete it off her phone and send it to us? Like, that is not okay. And she was like, well, I thought it was my granddaughter. Why would you take a video of your granddaughter in the first place of, like, her up there? Like, if that was your granddaughter, you would be like, flipping out.
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Interviewer
Yeah.
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Kennedy Bingham
So she's just super weird. And still that video has never seen a light of day. And I don't think I ever will because it's just hard.
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Interviewer
Yeah.
- [22:54]
Kennedy Bingham
And it's sad, but yeah. So that was really hard. And then I remember him because, like, they, in order to get me down, they had to turn the power off. They had to. I think they brought the wrong truck because they weren't understanding because it was like, possible broken leg, I don't know, a whole slew of things. And so they finally got the right truck. And I remember, like, them coming up to me and I was just like, you have to get me down. Like, please, please, please. Like, I don't have much longer. I can't do this. And I was like, I'm tired. And they're like, we're gonna do it. And I could, like, feel the stress coming off of them. And even though they were trying to stay as calm as possible. And he said, which I don't remember this part, that, like, as soon as he got close enough to me, I, like, grabbed him, like, immediately just hugged him and was like, thank you. And he was like, I remember seeing you. And I was like, I don't even know what to do, because he's like, generally, you go under the arm. Like, he was like, I needed to grab you some way, but he was like, your arm was ripped off. Like, there was. It was just dangling. And so he was like, I didn't know the best way to do it. And so then my next memory was when they had to take my leg off that wire, and they had to take the bone and just, like, untangle it, and they put the tourniquet on. So I didn't, like. Because as soon as that wire wasn't pinching that off, I'd bleed out. And so the tourniquet was, like, the most pressurized, awful feeling ever. And then they had to take my bone out, and that's it. The only time I cried, the only time I screamed up there, because when I started crying before, like, I just pulled it together, because I always thought crying was weak. Like, if you. At that point, I thought if I cried, that I would die. And it seems so extreme, but I think for me, that would be a signal of, like, giving up. And so I finally was crying because it was so painful. And I remember, like, my body hitting that stretcher, and it was like, oh, like, I'm not up there anymore. And I had a sense of, like, you can, like, you can go now. Like, you fought like, it's not your time. Like, you don't need to do it anymore for yourself. And so I just remember closing my eyes and just being like, I'm good.
- [24:56]
Interviewer
One thing that I've noticed over the years is how much our environment truly affects us. What we're breathing in, everything around us, whether that's inside, outside, literally everywhere. And we talk so much about nervous system regulation and creating peace within and being the healthiest versions of ourselves, but something that I think we don't really think about or even consider is the air quality that we're breathing in within our own homes. And that is when I found air doctor and it is the only air purifier that I've been using and loving, and especially for me, because I have seven cats and two dogs. So this is a very full household. It's very important for me to just know that my air is being purified and cleansed because obviously, no matter how good we take care of our animals, or even if you don't have animals, how much and how good you clean and take care of your house, I feel like your air can never be pure enough. And for me personally, it makes me feel a lot better knowing that my air is cleansed and that even when I'm vacuuming and stuff like that on the ground, my air is still being cleaned as well, because that's something you obviously can't reach and can't do on your own. And some things that I've noticed right off the bat is that there's none of these lingering odors anymore. I'm not feeling heavy or congested when I wake up. And overall I'm just having a lot of better, more peaceful sleep throughout the whole night. And I swear it has to do with my air quality and the fact that I can actually breathe in some fresh, clean air. Doctors powerful three stage filtration system captures particles that are actually 100 times smaller than the particles that a typical average air purifier would capture. So things like dust, pollen, mold, spores, pet dander, which is obviously huge here, wildfire smokes, VOCs and so much more. And it's super quiet and has an auto feature, so there is no more guessing. It completely adjusts based on your air quality, what's going on in the air in your home and it tells you when your filter needs to be changed, which is gold for me because I do not have time, nor do I know when a air purifier filter needs to be changed unless it's going to tell me it does. Head to Air Doctor Pro. Com and use promo code INSANE to get $250 off select Air Doctor air purifiers, including the 3500, 4000 and 5500 models. Plus you'll receive a free three year warranty on 84 value and Air Doctor's 30 day money back guarantee. This is an exclusive podcast only offer available now at airdoctorpro.com that's a I R D O C T-O-R-P-R O.com using promo code Insane. How long did it take them to once they were up there to actually get you off of the power line and onto the stretcher?
- [27:41]
Kennedy Bingham
I think a few minutes.
- [27:42]
Interviewer
Okay, so it's pretty quick.
- [27:43]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah, pretty quick. And at this point they got me in the ambulance and my dad had showed up and they were like, hey. Or he'd. He saw everything. Not he didn't see me up there, which, like, I can't imagine as a parent, like, how that would have gone. But he got there, saw everything, immediately saw the car out in the field and sprinted towards it. And because he had found out, because my grandpa was on our live 360 and he would just like track us all the time. And he called my dad and was like, hey, it's weird. Like, there's police lights down the road and your daughter's phone is in that same area. Like, I don't know what's going on. And so he's like, oh, call her. Because like, I always answered my phone and I didn't answer. And he was like, it's her, I know it. And so he went there, went out to the car. Obviously I'm not there. And at that point I was in the ambulance and one of the guys there was like, hey, she's in here. And so they were like, you can't come in yet. So he just like dropped his knees and started praying. He was just like, I like, please don't take her. And they were like, hey, you can go in and say your goodbyes. Like, she's not making it. She'll be very lucky if she makes this flight to port enough. And because that's like an hour drive from where we were, so I don't know, like flight time, what that would be so. But just not very far. And they were like, there's no way, like, so say your goodbyes now. And so he came in and kissed me on the forehead and my grandpa like grabbed him and dragged him in the truck. And they were like, we drove so fast to like meet you there. And he's like, the whole way I could just like taste because, like, I was just bloody. He was like, I just tasted your blood the entire. And I just was thinking like, I can't lose you. And my mom at that point was headed that way. And I don't. That's kind of where my memory is. Like, black for a while. Yeah. Because from what I know, they put me in a medical induced coma. They thought I was like, brain dead. Like, they didn't know what the extent of my injuries were because I'd hit my head on the power line. Because when I'd got ejected and then electrocuted, that shocked me so hard that I like swung and hit my head. And so like, I actually have a bald spot from like it, like, scalped me back there. And so, like, random, but, like, I don't know. So they just, like, took all that into consideration. And. Yeah, so that's kind of like the whole accident scene of it.
- [29:49]
Interviewer
That is in sane and, like, the fact, like, to survive that. And like, I know you mentioned too, like, as a parent, you can't imagine seeing it, but I feel like even the EMT is, like, to show up to that and then to know you're still alive up there because you know what I mean? It's like, oh, we, like, it's in our hands now to keep her alive.
- [30:12]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah, they all had to go home that night. Like, they were like. They all had more to do that night. Like, longer shifts, and they were like, we're done. Like, we can't. And they're like, we need to go home to our family. So they all left and they were like, still.
- [30:26]
Interviewer
And did your. So at this point, did your mom know yet?
- [30:30]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah, she knew. My dad had called her.
- [30:32]
Interviewer
Okay.
- [30:32]
Kennedy Bingham
She was on her way to the hospital. Like, since she wasn't, like, I don't have, like, a lot of, like, that side of the story, what her feelings were, or probably just stress and anxiety, but yeah. And so I was at that hospital for. I don't even know if I think it was till, like, 11:00am that next day, so not super long. Just overnight for them to stabilize me. And they were like, yeah, we don't know what to do with her. Like, we don't deal with these types of injuries. And so they're like, we have to send her away. So they flew me the next day to University of Utah, and I even got there, which is a trauma level one center, which is like, they deal with cases like this more often. They were like, we don't see these injuries only in, like, war. Like, this is not a normal thing. And so they, like, even struggled, but, like, luckily they had amazing doctors. And that's why I have the function that I do in my arm. So.
- [31:21]
Interviewer
Super. And also, I mean, it looks great. Like, it's. You know what I mean? I feel like. Like, because there's one scar here, right?
- [31:27]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah, you can see it all in the middle. Because, like, I have a picture, which I can also send for you for the podcast. So they can see, but, like, there's, like, a hole, like, a massive hole, and they brought all that skin together without a screen graft.
- [31:39]
Interviewer
So it's also this one, like, right here is like, it's so fad, you can barely see it.
- [31:45]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah. And Then I'm got scars like all here from other surgeries of like, giving me hand function again. But yeah, like, amazing doctors that, like, gave me the life that I definitely have now. Yeah. So, like, all my injuries that I had were a broken femur from the power line, My arm was broken, and I have a scar on the back from where the bone, like, busted out. My collarbone was broken. And then my injury from my arm is called the brachial plexus injury. You have five main nerves that run your arm. Three of mine were pulled from the root, so I was leaking spinal fluid, and the other two were just stretched. And so actually when my accident first happened, I had no function. Like, it was completely paralyzed. And then, like I said, my main. Two main arteries were ripped. And in total, I've had 21 surgeries since, like, from the accident. And then a year after to get a little bit more function. But yeah, I spent seven weeks in the hospital. I was intubated, which was like the worst experience ever because you just got like the whole tube down your throat. The only way I could communicate was hand squeezes. And so at first, like, this hand was even so weak, like I could barely move. And so they would, like, put their hand in and it was like, squeeze once for yes and squeeze no, or squeeze twice for no and squeeze three times for I love you. And so that's like, what we communicated because I couldn't talk. And then I could finally get to a point where I could, like, write in their hands a little bit. But that was like, really hard for them to understand. And so I'd get really frustrated and just like, swipe it away and cry because you're just in so much pain at that point that, like.
- [33:12]
Interviewer
Yeah.
- [33:12]
Kennedy Bingham
And no one understands. No one can help you. There's nothing they can do. And you're just like, literally just wanting to die all over again because you can't do anything. Yeah. And so now, like, I feel like my pain scale. Like, I go to the doctor, I'm like, what's your pain scale? Out of 1 to 10? And I'm like, I have no idea. Like, that's totally broken. Because I know what it's like to be at an excruciating 10 and I could never get anywhere close to that. But like, on a day to day, I'm just like, so. Right. It's just hard.
- [33:38]
Interviewer
And then when you got to the hospital, were you. Do you remember any of that? Like, being awake at all?
- [33:44]
Kennedy Bingham
One of my first memories, which is weird that it's my first memory because I'd had my. It's not like it's my first, but for some reason, that's how it came to me because, like, I remember the hand squeezes, but that was all okay. I don't know, because my vision was also gone. Like, I couldn't see. Like, it was all black or, like, very tunnel vision, just weird.
- [34:02]
Interviewer
And how long was it like that for?
- [34:05]
Kennedy Bingham
I feel like days.
- [34:06]
Interviewer
Okay.
- [34:06]
Kennedy Bingham
Genuinely days. And I remember this nurse, she'd come in, like, again, it's not my first, not in order, but, like, this is how I remember it. And she put in a feeding tube. That's what she was trying to do. And it felt like she was sticking, like, a popsicle stick up my nose. And I was like, get that out. Like, what are you doing?
- [34:24]
Interviewer
Right?
- [34:25]
Kennedy Bingham
And she, like, kept trying. And I was like, you are not my nurse. And I was, like, so bossy at this point. Like, always been pretty fiery, but, like, coming out of that, I was like, yeah. And so I was like, you are not my nurse. Get out of here. Here. So there was, like, instances with nurses where I was just like, oh. Or I was, like, the worst patient ever. Especially, like, later on when I was in so much pain because they finally taught me how to use the button to call in the nurse. Because they. At that point, I was on, like, the 15 minute. Like, they'd have to come in every 15 minutes, and they'd come in, but then they taught me the button, and I would just, like, click it because, like, I didn't know what to do. Like, yeah, I just wanted help. Like, I just wanted comfort. I. But you just can't in that situation. It's, like, so hard to, like, think back on it because it's just like, oh, I never want to feel that way in my entire life again.
- [35:08]
Interviewer
Did they ever come in and tell you about your leg? Like, did they. Did they amputate it right away?
- [35:15]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah, so they amputated it pretty quick. I had five amputations in total, actually. So they. My break where the power line. I was hanging there, obviously. There was no blood for an hour. So that's, like, kind of a long time. And so they originally took it through my knee and to give me, like, the most, like, because if you have more. Like, if you see amputees, the more, like, you have, the more mobility you'll have, the easier it is for you to walk and all. So they were like, okay, we're gonna take it here. And it just kept dying. Like, the tissue just Kept rotting away. And so they were like. It was like a. They would literally Saran wrap it like a meat slicer, and they just go in, like, every other day and just cut it off. And so, like, horrific. And I was, like, awake for, like, not awake during the surgery, but, like, they'd be like, oh. And I don't remember, like, a ton of that, because my dad told me at my fourth amputation, I think my third or fourth amputation, that I had lost my leg. And he. I remember my reaction. He was like, you I just tell you something? And I could already tell, like, the room was so heavy, like, emotionally, you could just feel it. And he's like, I have to tell you something. And I was like, okay. And he was like, they had to take your leg, but, like, I promise you'll be able to run again. You'll be able to walk again, you'll be able to play soccer again. Because I love soccer. I was big in it, and I was like, okay, okay. And the first thing I asked was, well, did either of my friends lose their legs or limbs or anything substantial, like, permanently? And he was like, no. And I said, well, I'm glad I'm the one that did, because it was my fault, because I can't imagine, like, I even to this day, like, struggle with the guilt. Like, it's something I just cannot shake, and I don't think I ever can. Like, even running into the. Those kids, parents and family guy just, like, shame just, like, rolls over me because I just. And so to, like, no. And they still had substantial injuries. Like, the girl had a broken neck, back in, pelvis, made a full recovery, and the boy had a broken neck and pelvis, like, full recovery. But, yeah. So I think I was just so grateful that, like, I was the one that it happened to. And. Yeah. And so I'd been told, like, I was gonna run again, everything. And he was like, hey, just so you know, like, you've had amputations. And he didn't tell me how far or anything. But then I could tell, like, that night, I think it had to have been the fourth amputation, because that night I started getting sick. Like, really, really sick. Because they went in and the fourth amputation, they were like, it looks really good. Like, it's not rotting away, and if we can keep it here, she'll be able to walk. She'll do it all. But, like, if not. And we had to take it at the break, which was a little bit higher, they're like, she'll never walk again. Like, very cut and dry. And so they just were, like, hoping and praying that, like, it would all work out. And by that night, I could tell, like, something wasn't right. And I, like, was overheating to the point where, like, I literally felt like I was dying all over again. Like, I don't even know how to explain it. And I was like, this little person on a beach, like, doing all these tasks. And I remember I started, like, elevating up this cliff, and at the top was God. And I was like, oh, my gosh, no, I'm not ready. Like, I have so much to do. Like, and it was like, the earth. And. And it was such a weird way to come to me, but, like, I literally felt my body dying. And I went into surgery, and the nurses came in and, like, took care of it. And then I had to go into surgery, and they cut the rest of my leg off to up here. And now I don't have much of a limb. My bones, like, maybe that long. I mean, I'm walking out. So, like, the doctors were wrong and everything? Luckily, yeah. But, yeah, just crazy. And then when I found out how short it was, that was really traumatic because I wasn't educated on amputees or disability, nothing. Like, I was 16. 16?
- [38:46]
Interviewer
Yeah. Like, that is it that. It's crazy.
- [38:49]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah. So, like, for me, I'm like, oh, maybe my foot's gone. I didn't ask questions. And so PT had come in, like, 24 hours after my last surgery of cutting my leg off, and they were like, hey, we're gonna do 10 squats today. My parents were like, no, she's not. Like, she just got out of surgery. What are you thinking? And I was like, oh, I'm good. Like, I can do it. So they sat me up at a 90 degree angle, and I wouldn't look down. I was like, oh, is my dress covered it? My gown? And they were like, yeah, you're good. And so I did my 10 squats, and I was laughing at making jokes, and I was like, oh, I'll do, like, two extra for, because I can. And so I did. And I looked down after I sat down, and my gown was, like, pulled all the way up. And I saw how short, which I had dressings all over. Like, it was covered.
- [39:32]
Interviewer
Yeah.
- [39:32]
Kennedy Bingham
But, like, I saw the length of it and I was like. Like, oh, my gosh. And I just started crying. I was like, I can't believe this is all I have left. Like, what am I supposed to do with this? This is nothing. And my Parents are just like, we're so sorry. Like, we. We didn't know, like, what to say. Like, we. We don't know. And I pulled it together, and the nurse was like, will you touch it? And I was like, I'm not touching that thing. Like, I want nothing to do with that. Like, it's weird. And at 16, like, I'm used to having normal body, and, yeah, all of a sudden, you don't. But I ended up touching it, and I was like, oh, it's super weird. And. And then my name in the hospital was Trauma Gobi, and because I was a minor, so they have to give you a new name. And so actually, my nub's named Goby now, and it's a boy. I don't know why. Yeah, it drives my husband absolutely nuts, actually, because he's like, it's so weird that you call it a boy, but, like, it's just been a boy. So weird. But, like, I came up with the govee dance, and so, like, I have a video where I, like, start shaking, moving it in a circle for, like, the mobility purposes. And I was like, go, go, V. Go, Go, V. And so, like, the nurses are like, this is crazy that you just have, like, bounced like this through it all. And that just, like, kind of how it kept going. And I remember sending voice memos to my friends of, like, motivating them to keep going because they were really struggling. Especially one of them, she really struggled to keep going in the hospital. Like, she. Her back just hurt so bad, which I. I didn't know what that was. Like. I had different injuries, but were you
- [40:57]
Interviewer
guys in the same hospital or they were able to get treated at the other one?
- [41:00]
Kennedy Bingham
I think we were all three in different hospitals.
- [41:02]
Interviewer
Okay.
- [41:03]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah. And so not close, but we'd send, like, video messages and. Yeah. To, like, help motivate each other to get out, because we just wanted to be together again. And. But yeah.
- [41:14]
Interviewer
So you were in there for seven weeks.
- [41:16]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah.
- [41:16]
Interviewer
And throughout that seven weeks, did they do the majority of the surgeries then?
- [41:21]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah, so they did majority of the surgeries towards, like, in the first few weeks. And then so I was in the ICU for a while, and then I got transferred to, like, the regular unit. And I was in there for a little bit after I was, like, stable. Pretty stable. And then after they felt like I was.
- [41:40]
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Kennedy Bingham
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Interviewer
And most of those people maintain skin
- [42:27]
Kennedy Bingham
that's still more clear at one year with monthly dosing.
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- [43:03]
Kennedy Bingham
Ask your doctor about ebglis and visit ebglis.lily.com or call 1-800-lilyrx or 1-800-545-5979. Not ready to be discharged because you have to go to rehab. And so I went to like a children's hospital for rehab and I was there for a few weeks. I don't know how long. I just know seven weeks in total and it was horrendous. And the doctors had like quoted me to be the hospital till September and this happened in May and I was like I will not be there till September. And I got out right before my birthday in July. So yeah, and so I just spent a lot of time getting better. And at this point my mom and sister had started my social media and so they were keeping updates on people and then they were like, okay, like if you want to keep this up, you've got to kind of do it. And so then that's kind of how that started of, of me posting videos about a little bit about my accident Giving details and how I was doing and just videos of how I was feeling. And I think people really, like, love that honesty of, like, wow. And, like, it was just so real and raw because, like, I didn't know any better. I was 16. Like, I didn't know what to do to go viral. I didn't know. And I wasn't doing it for that. Like, I was just doing it for myself. And I think that's honestly what helped me, is having that outlet to, like. It was very therapeutic for me. Yeah.
- [44:18]
Interviewer
To be able to talk about it and just kind of let everything out and not hold back in a way.
- [44:24]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah.
- [44:24]
Interviewer
When you made the transition from hospital to home, or was it hospital and then, like, a rehab center?
- [44:31]
Kennedy Bingham
It was still, like, in the hospital, though. Like, I was there full time. I went home.
- [44:35]
Interviewer
And then when you went home, how was that transition for you? I guess, mentally, physically, everything.
- [44:40]
Kennedy Bingham
It was really hard because in the hospitals, they do everything for you. Like, they help you get dressed, they help you brush your teeth, they help you push you in a wheelchair. They put your deodorant on for, like, all of it. Because it's. It's hard, like, to relearn, to do everything with one hand. Like, they would wash my hair. Like, my mom would wash my hair, and my aunts and all of that. And so then you go home and, like I said, my support system. But you don't have someone, like, continually taking care of you. And then you also have to be in the real life of seeing people. Like, in the hospital, you see everyone sick. Everyone is going through something hard. You don't see normal people. And so then you go home and you, like, look across the street and you see the neighbor kids, like, running around and playing. And then you're like, wow, that's.
- [45:24]
Interviewer
Life still goes on. Yeah, right?
- [45:25]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah. Like, I just. I can't do that because at the point I was in a wheelchair, and then it's like, yeah, like, washing my hair with one arm, like, was so hard, it just gets tired because you're like. You have to wash it twice. And then the conditioner, it. And it's like, ugh. And so I couldn't do that. And then figuring out deodorant on one arm, like, to, like, it's just so foreign when you're used to just having the two arms. And then, like I said, this arm was, like, completely paralyzed. And so, like, it was. It was literally everything with one hand. At least now, like, it does some things, right?
- [45:54]
Interviewer
A lot. Honestly, a lot.
- [45:55]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah.
- [45:56]
Interviewer
Like, I wouldn't even have known, honestly.
- [45:58]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah, it's like crazy what it's done. And I mean, it looks skinny and you could tell my shoulder blade sticks out and stuff. So there's things. But like, it does so well for like, what I was told I would get and so super grateful. But yeah, it was like, mentally really. I think that's when I started struggling the hardest mentally, just because then you also get put back in the environment of people that you used to know and like, went to high school with and were friends with, and they like, start coming to see you and they look at you different and they're like, have just pity in their eyes for you, which I get like, I totally not upset at about, but it's hard to be, like, looked at that way and look so differently.
- [46:33]
Interviewer
Once again, I think that age and kids, they don't know how to react. It's like none of us are conditioned to know. Know what to say or how to show up and.
- [46:41]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah, and even to this day, like, we were in DC For a few days and we were like, I. I can walk and I can walk for a while, but, like, I get tired. Like, I can't do it for very long. My back starts hurting, my leg, like, will start swelling up and stuff. And so like, we brought my wheelchair to like, get in and out throughout the day. And there's like eighth graders everywhere. And for some reason, like, it's been five years. And when I'm around people my age to like that age, like middle school age, they just don't understand or they don't know. Like, they don't view you nor, like, normal. They're like, oh, you're. You're different than us. You're. And like, I don't know why, but I'm like, oh, they probably think I'm just like, have a mental disability too, because, like, automatically those kids just like they could. I feel like a lot of them do just associate you with like a wheelchair, mental disability, physical disability, whatever. And I was like, well, I just struggle. Like, I didn't want to be in a wheelchair because I was just like, oh, these. Even though I don't know who they are, they don't know who I am.
- [47:39]
Interviewer
You're human, you know, and I think no matter how, how confident you are in yourself and you, you know, you. You know your story, you share your story. I think that unfortunately we still do to some degree care what people think. And, you know, it's. It's obvious when people are looking at you and I You know, and it's. I think that's something, too. Like, I mean, I was always taught that, you know, like, if someone's different, don't stare or something like that. And I mean, it. It sounds small, but it's true. Because it's those little things that. It's like in those moments, the last thing somebody wants to feel is like, they're different. They just want to. If anything, it's like. Like, yes. You know, like, okay, I can't. Maybe I have to go in the wheelchair to kind of. Because I get tired and my body just can't do what it used to do. But. But you still want to feel like you're a young girl doing your thing, you know, like, and it's hard.
- [48:35]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah. And so I definitely realized, like, because normally I travel with my husband, and that's different for me. Like, I normally don't feel that way as much because it's a good look at, like, he's handsome and he loves me, and, like, people can see that, and they're like, oh, she. And it's so. And it's all in my head, and I totally know it. But, like, so many people can relate to that. Like, I have someone that does love me and cares for me and, like, knows that I'm normal. And, like, people see that. But, like, when my mom's pushing me, it feels like, oh, people probably are like, oh, she's like, that's a caregiver. Like, I don't know. There's something in it. And, like, I never realized that about myself until I travel with my mom for the first time. And I was like, this is so. Because, like, with my husband, I just don't. Like, he just makes me feel normal. He makes me feel loved. He makes me feel cared for. And no one. He doesn't let people not talk to me. Like, yeah. It's like, people will talk to him, and he's like, she's right here. Like, you can talk to her. And, like, she's a human.
- [49:27]
Interviewer
Right?
- [49:27]
Kennedy Bingham
And so. But, like, yeah, with my. It's just like something in my head that just is like. Like, oh. And like, I apparently still struggle with it and not even.
- [49:35]
Interviewer
And, you know, it's once again, I think, too. I mean, five years isn't that long at all, you know, like we were saying. I mean, that is something I feel like we. We learn and we change and we grow. And. I mean, I say this to all of the people that are on here, no matter if it's like, emotional trauma. Physical trauma. Whatever it might be, you know, it. We have times and days and even long periods where I feel like, you feel fine, nothing bothers you. And then you might go through a rut where everything pisses you off, everything bothers you. But that's kind of just part of this experience.
- [50:12]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah.
- [50:13]
Interviewer
You know, but it's pain because it's like we're. Our own mind is battling itself, and you're like, this is all in my head, and it's driving me nuts. Like, why do I care? Or why is this bothering me? And I think, like I said too, a few minutes ago, I think that's something a lot of people can relate to, because at the end of the day, I think everyone just wants to feel good and get better and feel strong, you know, like, I got this. And sometimes when you have those moments, it can be really frustrating and defeating.
- [50:42]
Kennedy Bingham
And you can also, like, I can tell, like, when I'm walking and people look at me different, it's like, wow, you're strong. You're inspirational. When I'm up and walking because I look different, which, like, don't say I'm an inspiration for breathing. Like, that's not a reason to be an inspiration. Like, if you actually. You can. Like, I know I am based off what I've accomplished and what I've done, but you don't actually know anything I've done. You just, like, think that because you physically look at me, but in a wheelchair, it's like, pity eyes. And I noticed that, like, literally I would get up and people, oh, it's like, wow. And then I'd sit down and it's like, oh, don't look. Or like, oh, I feel sorry. And it's like, what. What's the difference? Like, I literally. It's just from sitting and standing and, like. Like, that's been really hard because, again, I'm not in a wheelchair a lot, just for traveling mostly and different things. But, like, that's always a really hard reality check for me of, like, the difference. And I get. Like, people just aren't educated. And, like, I. I'm never going to be the type of person that's like, oh, they pissed me off. Or, like, whatever. They're so disrespectful because they don't know any better. I'm not gonna get mad. And there's some amputees and people with disabilities that get so mad and you can't ask them questions because they just are so defensive and they're angry. And it's like, you have to realize Like, I wouldn't have known any better if I wasn't.
- [51:55]
Interviewer
That's the best way to say it.
- [51:56]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah.
- [51:57]
Interviewer
It's so true.
- [51:58]
Kennedy Bingham
And so it's like, I'm not mad. It's just like, okay, like, you have to remember this. You have to, like, your self worth is not based off what you look like. And I've really had to learn that.
- [52:08]
Interviewer
Absolutely. And then. So during this time when you were recovering at home, how long until, like, how long did you have to be home for? Until you could go back to school?
- [52:20]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah. So my accident happened. I missed like the last week of school because it was Saturday. There was one more week, and then it was summer. I got home in July and high school started in August, middle of August, a little towards the end, I guess, and I went back in a wheelchair. Good for you. And I didn't want to go back in a wheelchair. And I probably wouldn't have, but the nurse actually, right before I left, I'd gotten out of bed when I wasn't supposed to, to, like, I was on FaceTime with my friends and I, like, dressing had come off and she came in and fixed it and Ace wrapped it instead and it busted the end of my leg open. And so, like, I had to go through weeks and weeks and weeks of like, fixing that hole. And so I didn't get a walk until October, I think. And so I was in high school for two months with. In a wheelchair.
- [53:08]
Interviewer
And still though. Yeah, that's fast.
- [53:11]
Kennedy Bingham
It was fast. Yeah. Because I've had people be like, oh, my gosh, like, they'll stop me at Costco or whatever. And they're like, how long have you been an amputee for? Or like, how long did it take you to walk? And I was like, a few months. And like, they were like, well, when you got your first leg, like, when did you stop using a crutch? And I was like, three days. Like, I was so fat because I just didn't wanna. Like, I was so motivated to be better and just be independent. And like, it sucked. Like, I felt all the time because I just didn't want that crutch. But, like, like, I genuinely. That's where I. Like how I am. Where I'm at now is because I was just so motivated to.
- [53:43]
Interviewer
Yeah.
- [53:43]
Kennedy Bingham
Move on.
- [53:44]
Interviewer
And then were you still struggling with a lot of pain?
- [53:47]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah, I struggle with pain to this day. Okay. I struggle with nerve pain. And so those nerves that got pulled, I just. Yeah. So my nerve pain's oddly in these two fingers only really and it just feels like burning, stabbing, like, constantly. It's worse than other times. There's not anything you can really do for it. It was on Lyrica. I actually just got off super happy about it because it causes dementia or Alzheimer's. I can't remember which one. Being on it long term, and that scared me really bad. And I was just like, I can't do this. Like, I can't be. And if I allow myself to be on this medication for the rest of my life, I will. And it didn't ever take the pain away. It just was like. But if I couldn't. If I didn't take it at night, like, I. My body knew and I couldn't sleep, I would, like, have hot flashes. It was really bad. And so I was like, I'll start tapering. So I actually started tapering. And I recently got off.
- [54:34]
Interviewer
That's awesome.
- [54:35]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah, super happy. But overall, like, it sucks sometimes the thought of, like, that. That's probably my hardest mental health days is the thought of knowing that I'm going to be in pain for the rest of my life. Like, at 16 years old, like, that's not fair for, like, the rest of my life to be that way. Like, most people, it's like, oh, you get old and you get arthritis or whatever, but me, it's like 16, and, like, I have to do that the rest of my life. And so, like, that thought can get wearing on me sometimes.
- [55:02]
Interviewer
I know that you talked about kind of during that time of being home, I guess, and going. I guess maybe this transitions into going to school as well, but the. Your mental health kind of being more worse around this time. How did you find that? That really, like, how did you get that to improve for yourself?
- [55:21]
Kennedy Bingham
I think it improved because I would probably say I was posting more on social media and I was getting, like, obviously really mean comments, and that would, like, hurt it sometimes. But at the same time, I was getting so many comments that people were like, you got this. Like, they were building me up. And they were like, wow, like, I can't believe you survived something like that. And you're still here and you're still choosing and you're sharing, like, what your life is. And so that made me feel pretty good. And that helped a lot. And then when I started doing things like not just sitting at home, like, six months out post my accident, my arm was still broken because my arm, like, for some reason wouldn't heal. And I went snowboarding, I was just like, okay, let's do that. So I did And I think feeling capable again of doing things, like, really helped me of, like, okay, like, this. This is good for me. Yeah. So I snowboarded, skied, surfed, like, I've done it all, rock climbed. And, like, that helps me. And then when I started public speaking, which I think I started a year after I didn't want to, my mom actually signed me and her up for one, like, a mother daughter thing. And I was so angry. I was like, are you kidding me? Like, I did not want to do that. And then I fell in love with it. And I just watched, like, the reactions of people. And I think knowing what I can do to others, because I've, like, watched it firsthand, like, I feel that power on a stage of, like, what I can do for others. And I watch the reactions and then them coming up to me after, and that makes me feel good. Of, like, I bettered your life or I gave you a new perspective, or I gave you the stepping stones of what to do to, like, get on the track of a better mental health. Because, like, that's what I try to do in most of my speeches is, like, empower and make you feel worthy and powerful again. And. And it does that for me as well.
- [57:07]
Interviewer
And I'm sure every time it does. And thing is, too, is, and this goes for anything and for anybody and any state at any stage of life, I feel like it's so easy for us to sweat the small stuff and be really overwhelmed or stressed or angry, depressed even. And I know a lot of times, obviously with mental health, that's not something we can always control. But I think hearing a story like yours, and even from somebody that was. That was feeling that way as well prior to. To kind of know how fast life can change. Like, we always hear the terms, like, life is so short, you know, and even just people hearing stories and thinking, oh, well, that would never happen to me.
- [57:50]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah.
- [57:50]
Interviewer
You know, but that can just completely change your perspective of, one, how good you have it, and two, that it can all be taken away in a second. And it's scary, you know, And I think it's really important not to get so caught up on the little unimportant things that we think are just, you know.
- [58:11]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah.
- [58:11]
Interviewer
The end of the world sometimes.
- [58:13]
Kennedy Bingham
I think that's what I've learned is, like, my dad used to. Because, like, he's had a really, really hard life.
- [58:18]
Interviewer
Yeah. I was gonna say, how is he doing, too? Is he doing better?
- [58:21]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah, he's better. But, like, just even from his childhood, like, he's just like it feels like been beat up on like his entire life. And he, I remember he would go on car rides the back to the hospital. Cause I'd go two times a week to back to Salt Lake to go to my appointments and so we spent a lot of time in the car. And he's like, how are you not angry? Because like even though I struggled with my mental I was never angry and I never like showed it that well because like I was still so grateful. And he was just like, I just don't get. He's like I've been angry my entire life. And he was like I just don't understand like how you just aren't. And I was like, because like I'm here. Like I want a second chance. Like I have an opportunity to like make this a career. I have an opportunity to help others. I have like I'm just grateful I'm here.
- [59:03]
Interviewer
And you're able to take something so horrible.
- [59:06]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah.
- [59:07]
Interviewer
And scary that happened to you and turn it into something so powerful.
- [59:11]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah.
- [59:11]
Interviewer
And so life changing for yourself and for other people.
- [59:14]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah. And I know plenty of people with disabilities. You meet them often that like they have no competence, no self worth, no nothing. And they don't have no drive because. And it's not their fault. It's just hard. Like it's not an easy thing but because it's like well my life is over and I, and I genuinely believe that it's like well whatever. And for me it's like I would way rather like my life's not going to change. The leg is not growing back, my arm's not going to come back. Like none of that's ever going to come back. But I still have a life to live. Like do I want to spend 6 like at 16 years old and live majority almost my entire life this way? Sad, feeling sorry for myself, being a burden on others. Because like, like I feel sorry for myself. Like that does not sound enjoyable to me. Like I have to live regardless so like might as well make it a good one. And that's why I think it always comes back to like choose your hard. Because I know what it's like to have those feelings of depression and sadness and suicide and all those feelings and that's like so hard. But there's no benefit out of it. There's literally no benefit for you. It just hurts you.
- [60:18]
Interviewer
Except more of it too.
- [60:19]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's just a cycle. But then there's also the other side of hardware. It's like, yeah, like like, working out is hard and moving your body is hard and doing hard things and going up in front of hundreds of people to speak, that's hard. But there's a benefit of it. You're helping others and it makes you feel better. Like you're. You're getting those endorphins. And that's what's helped me is like, is it really worth it to, like, lay in bed and scroll? And like, obviously I have those days. Like, I'm. I'm no better than anyone else. Like, absolutely. But, like, generally, that's what I try to remember is just like, you still have to live this life. Like, your legs not coming back. You're like, your life's never going to be the same. And honestly, I'm to a point where I wouldn't ever want it to be. Like, I'm so grateful, like, for my life. I. Yeah.
- [61:01]
Interviewer
And I was. I was going to ask you too. Kind of going off of that when you mentioned just even after the accident and kind of feeling that, I guess guilt in a way of driving the car and along those lines, because I'm sure was there was everything or did everything hit you at once? Like, all of those different moving parts of. I guess, like when you said. Even now, like, when you're telling your story and you're like, I hate. Like, thinking back about this part, did those feelings come over time or was that something that kind of happened? Just kind of. It was all the aftermath of it, just replaying it all and looking back at it. Like, how. How did those feelings come about? And I guess, how do you sort through them?
- [61:42]
Kennedy Bingham
I think it all happened at once. Like, I remember the hospital and it was like, just everything, like, the pain, the guilt, and like, not even the guilt for my friends, but for my family, because I remember, like, I wasn't super in the know of everything, but my parents, like, we gotta. We got an apartment. Like, you don't. And I was like, you guys can't. Like, you can't be. Because they, like, dropped everything. My parents never left my side the seven weeks they. I always had one parent there with me, if not both of them, like, like, constantly. And I just felt so bad for what I did. And my little sister. I have a sister, she's 15 now, but she was 10 back then when it happened. And she, like, got bounced around to our families to, like, take care of her because my parents were with me. And then, like, I had two older siblings. And it's just like the guilt of. So, like, still is hard But I think I just had to realize, like,
- [62:31]
Interviewer
you can't hold on to it.
- [62:32]
Kennedy Bingham
I can't. Like, and I still do, even though I don't want to. Like, I feel guilty even to this day. Like, I'm just a harder kid to take care of. I'm more complicated. Like, I get all that, but, like, there's nothing I can do. And I'm doing my best. And I didn't intentionally ever mean to have this happen. Do that to other people, do that to my family and still stay in
- [62:54]
Interviewer
touch with the other two kids.
- [62:56]
Kennedy Bingham
I'm in touch with one of them. We were friends up until like, I think a year, but it all kind of fell off. I just think it wasn't ever anything like, oh, the accident. Like, that's really not what it was. I just think. Think we graduated and then it was kind of like, different. Kind of all doing a different thing. Yeah, they're not like super close, but I still have so much love for both of them of like, that stage of life and the friendships that I got from it.
- [63:20]
Interviewer
And then when you started speaking, when you used your first public speaking event with your mom.
- [63:26]
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Interviewer
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- [63:34]
Kennedy Bingham
So what's next?
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Kennedy Bingham
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Kennedy Bingham
They're hunting us. It's time we started hunting them.
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- [63:50]
Kennedy Bingham
This should be tons of fun.
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- [63:56]
Kennedy Bingham
Tomorrow morning is knocking. Stock your fridge now. How about a creamy mocha frappuccino drink? Or a sweet vanilla smooth caramel maybe?
- [64:04]
Interviewer
Or white chocolate mocha? Whichever you choose, delicious coffee awaits.
- [64:08]
Kennedy Bingham
Find Starbucks Frappuccino drinks wherever you buy your groceries.
- [64:11]
Interviewer
You said after that you kind of fell in love with it. You liked it, and then you've just continued doing it since then, right? Along with talking about your story on social media.
- [64:20]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah, so I did it once. And then I've never really been the type to, like, reach out about speaking. I have, and it just never, like, landed. Maybe I just don't know the best way to do it. But, like, every time they come to me, like, I just. I love it. And so I've made. I spoke at, like, trauma symposiums to surgeons, doctors. I spoke at, like, Cutera. It's a. I only use it for, like, cosmetic reasons, but I used it for muscle regrowth and, like, my glute. Because my glute on this leg and my nub just don't have any muscle. And so, like, I used it for rehabilitation. Rehabilitation things. And so I spoke to, like, Hollywood plastic surgeons that. Surgeons that, like, do for celebrities. Like, it was crazy, and it was so intimidating, but it was so, like, cool that, like, I got that opportunity. I speak to high school students, middle schools. I just spoke for nhtsa, National Highway Traffic Safety association, because, like, I have such a fiery passion for that, like, being safe behind a wheel. Because, yeah, again, you don't think it'll ever happen to you until it does. And there's just something about, like, taking the precautions to, like, not have to go through something like that. And so, yeah, I started just. I speak anywhere, and I can kind of alter my speech for any crowd. And, like, a lot of people are like, oh, will this work? And I'm like, I probably. Like, I can. I can change it, however, to, like, fit your right.
- [65:40]
Interviewer
I got it now.
- [65:41]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah, I got it done. And I just love it. And then, yeah, social media, I've. And I've kind of, like, altered away from the accident because, like, I'm not just gonna be like, my power line picture. My power line picture. Because, like, that obviously gets views because people, like, it's crazy. Yeah. But, like, that's not my life anymore.
- [65:56]
Interviewer
Yeah. It's like the recovery and the mental health. Yeah.
- [65:58]
Kennedy Bingham
And so now I share, like, what it's like, really, to live in the body that I live in and some of the struggles, like, I shared my whole lyrica getting off and that, like, really resonated with people because there's people all over the world that, like, struggle with medication use and want to get off. I can't. And so, like, that gave people a lot of courage. And then I did a hy rocks, which, like, I don't know if you know much about it, but, like, it's a physical competition. You do. It's like eight kilometer run and then eight exercises, and we did a relay, so there's four of us, and we. So we split into fourths. And it was, like, the hardest thing I've ever done, but, like, it was so rewarding to be like, wow, I did that. And, like, to push yourself, because I chose that because it was something that scared me. And, like, I'm not ever gonna allow something to be like, that scares me. I'm not gonna do it like most people do. There's so many people in my life that like, now give me excuses like, like, it's kind of crazy. Like, I'll go to the gym and people come up to me like, wow, I saw your Hyrox video. And I'm like, oh yeah. And they're like, that's so awesome, but I could never do it. And they're like a fully four limbed human right there. And I'm like, you just sold that to me. Like, yeah, I don't know. And so like, I just love sharing, like the real and raw and I'm just never gonna be that fake person on social media. Like, I, I see plenty of it. I see plenty of disabled creators that do it that are like, my life's amazing, right?
- [67:10]
Interviewer
It's like, like I know better, right?
- [67:12]
Kennedy Bingham
I was like, I, yeah, I, I don't believe that. But like, I just can't.
- [67:16]
Interviewer
How crazy is it too? I always think. And that's part one of the main reasons I love this show and love welcoming people to tell their full story. Because a lot of times people will be like, should I just focus on this one part? And I'm like, no, because there are. It's amazing what people can relate to. Like, you know, the medication aspect and things like that. Like, I'm sure too, when you started sharing your story, you know, we don't even realize the depth of telling the things we've been through or the things we feel. How people can relate to even just an emotion or a reaction. They're like, huh, I've done that and I don't feel so alone now. And I think that's so, it's so powerful. And even if you're not directly speaking to somebody, it's like this community is still being built because people feel seen and they feel heard and they. The thing is too, is you by. I always tell people this. I feel like it gets repetitive, but I mean it from the bottom of my heart. By sharing your story, you empower so many people not only to share theirs, but to get up. Maybe even just that day, just get up and do something different, even if it's the smallest thing. And that is incredible. We need more of that for sure.
- [68:19]
Kennedy Bingham
And I've got like, comments about that and like, that's what gets me to do it.
- [68:22]
Interviewer
Yeah.
- [68:23]
Kennedy Bingham
And it's like that pushes me to want to go do different things because I never want someone like, no matter what your ability is, no matter what illness you have, no matter what it is, like, you are capable. Your mind is so much, much stronger than people think it is, like genuine that high rocks. The entire time. You see the videos, it looks so inspirational and amazing. I can promise you. What was going through my head is, I hate my life. This is the worst thing I've ever done. I want to quit. I hate this. Even though I'm not a quitter, I'm not one that would ever be like, I'm done. This is too. I just. It's not my personality. Like. Yeah. I just think it's so important to sh. Show the real and raw. Because. And I think that's why, like, I don't really follow a lot of influencers.
- [69:01]
Interviewer
It's like, it's hard.
- [69:02]
Kennedy Bingham
I can't stand it.
- [69:03]
Interviewer
Like, I know.
- [69:04]
Kennedy Bingham
And people are like, oh, you are one. And I. I'm like, yeah. But, like, I just. I see the, like, even the enthusiastic, like, oh, my gosh. Keep ready. And it's like, I'm. I'm gonna, like, talk like me. I'm gonna be me, and I'm gonna be that. Because I just think it helps.
- [69:19]
Interviewer
I know. And I. I think that I always say this, too. Social media is so good, and it's so bad. You know, like, there are things like. Like this where you're able to connect and share. And, you know, one of the biggest things is, like, the. The fact that people can just type something in, a feeling, a story, a situation, and a video like this pops up, and it's somebody just telling their story, raw and open. Incredible. But then there's that other side of things where it's like the constant comparison. And I'm sure, you know, everyday people deal with that, just comparing themselves or their life looks so better than mine. And no one will ever show you the worst of things. No one's gonna show you the fights with people. No one's gonna show you the internal battles that they're going through. And I think that's the downside of it because that can lead a lot of people into depression. It can lead them to thinking grass is greener somewhere else, and it's not. And it's really difficult. And that's something that I. I think that there's no. Like, that line is very blurred.
- [70:18]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah.
- [70:19]
Interviewer
Because it's entertainment, but we think it's real, but it's not. Yeah, it's hard.
- [70:23]
Kennedy Bingham
People's jobs. And so, yeah, like, comparison's one of my biggest things I've struggled with. And I've, like, worked a lot on it. Like, I used to. Really bad. Like, I. I work really hard in the gym. It's one of my favorite Things. But then you see like a girl and you're like, wow, like she looks so good. And like, obviously like I, I cannot grow my left glute. Like it, it will never physically be equal to my right one. And I remember like, I would look at girls and I'd be like, wow, like what it would be like to have a normal looking. But again like, like, but then it's like, you know what, like what's the point?
- [70:56]
Interviewer
What is it? What's that gonna bring me?
- [70:57]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah, literally it's just like I, we're in such different phases. Like, I'm sure not very many people look at me and think like that, which like I wouldn't ever want them to. But like I've learned I'm in competition with myself, like not anyone else. Because we're in two completely different stages of life. We're working at two different things, goals, all of it. And so for me, I'm just like, am I better? Like if I can look back and be like, am I better than I was a year ago? Go. Absolutely. Am I accomplishing more than I was a year ago? Absolutely. Am I happy? Yes. And like that's what brings me joy is like being in competition with my past self. And like that's what I've had to learn to like, go. Most of my positiveness and happiness is like you can't look outside the box because you're always going to find something better. But then like, if you actually to walk those person's shoes, there's going to be a whole slew of things that like, they've got issues as well.
- [71:47]
Interviewer
And the thing too, like based on what you said and the thing that I love also, because this is something where I feel like it's one of two things. You either come to this realization with time and experience and age, or you come to the realization when you don't have it as good anymore. And I mean, I think we're all guilty of this. Whether people are super young or you are very not service level but like you care a lot about the external appearance and that's all good, you know, like everybody knows when you look good, you feel good and we all deserve to feel, feel pretty and stuff. But it's very easy. Especially once again, like we were saying with social media and the comparisons and this perfection and this, that the other. We're always striving to like look a certain way, you know. And I think everyone's guilty of it, whether it's even just like hair or makeup or body and it's so sad that we beat ourselves up so much to, like, to look a certain way and feel a certain way. And like, you just mentioned with, like, oh, like, like to have a butt like that. But it's like. Like you just said, like, okay, like, obviously that's such a normal thought. You know, anybody would think that. But then it's like, you have to ask yourself, what would that. What. What does that even bring me? You know what I mean? Right. And that's the funny thing, though, is, like, we don't. We don't always think like that because we're so. We're focused on, like, striving to look like this or comparing and this, that and the other. And it's almost like. It's crazy that it takes a lot of the times and this can go for any situation. Not just this, but almost. When I was cutting an apple a few weeks ago, I, like, cut the tip of my finger off and I'm like, it's like, you can't watch your hair and you're so annoying. And it's like something so small like, that you. You were. We take advantage of, like, how good we have, and it's the smallest thing. So point is, is like every day we just live life like a wheel. It's like, what's next? What's next? What's next? Or we beat ourselves up about this, or we're angry about that. And it's like all of that, as we know, can be taken away in a second and we don't realize how good we have it. And then it's like, obviously no one. You would never wish or want anything bad or traumatic to happen to anybody. But you have such a different set of eyes now and such a different perspective that I think, like, I wish we all. I guess what I'm trying to say is I wish we all had that perspective without anything needing to happen, like, just realizing that it doesn't have to be that, or we're beautiful the way we are and of course, work out. It's good for you, you know, like, you. Makes you feel good, you look good, whatever. But it's so easy to get caught up in perfection and comparison. And that's not at all what life is about. There is so much power and beauty in connection and in nature and, like, the real things of the world. And yeah, I get. My point is just like, I wish more people knew that and were grateful for that before something happens. And like I said, it made me think of it because when I chop my half, my My tip of my finger off. I was like, damn it. Like, I, like, I can't even wash my hair.
- [74:52]
Kennedy Bingham
My finger's on fire.
- [74:53]
Interviewer
And it's like, it's interesting because that's such a small thing, but it's like it does in those moments, even when we have a simple common cold, you know, and you're like, stuffy, you can't do anything, you're miserable, and you're like, damn. Like, I really, I took advantage of being healthy. And it's like, we don't ever just give ourselves that moment to stop and realize how good we have it. Like, to be healthy, to be able to walk and to breathe, you know, and like, show up and do what we want and move our limbs. It's crazy. Like, and it take. But that's also why it's so important to hear a story like yours because I think hearing those stories forces us to stop for a second.
- [75:34]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah.
- [75:35]
Interviewer
And to listen and to understand and see your perspective and hear it firsthand.
- [75:42]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah. Because, like, if I think about it, I was actually talking to my husband the other night and I was like, wow. Like, I think about it, if I woke up the next, like, tomorrow and it was like, here's your old body back. Like, I. I don't even know what I do myself. Like, it would be like the most crazy, like, feeling again to be like, wow, I can just like, get out of bed and not have to strap on a metal and plastic every single day. Like, I can just walk. Or I would probably run my brains out because, like, I could run. Like, I, I run now, but, like, it's just not the same. It doesn't feel the same. It's not fun for me. Like, it's fun. It can hurt. Yeah. I get sores from it and like, it can rub my skin off. Like, it's just so different. Like, I'm grateful for it that I can do it now and like, I can find joy in it. But, like, it's just nothing to like, what it is to do it normal again. And I just think, like, wow, I wouldn't even know how to act because it would just be like, yeah, but like, I. But after so long, I would probably again take advantage of it because that's just like human nature. And so, like, that's why I do find it. It so fun to be able to like, have this career because it puts it in perspective for people for a little bit. And then if they forget it again, they can come back to my page and like, yeah, hopefully still posting Stuff about it that it's like, oh, back into perspective, like check me and amazing. Yeah, I don't know. And like back to the physical stuff is like I've had to learn like the physical just like doesn't matter. Like you can't base your physical and like that's what people do. Like people care way more about their outward appearance and then their insides and like that's honestly because I used to struggle really badly with self confidence in my accident happened. Like I had nothing. I thought no one would ever love me again. Like honestly that's what I cried about the most in the hospital was no one will ever love me again. Truly. That's like I didn't really care about like the leg. Like it was hard but I was like no one's ever gonna love me ever. Like why would anyone pick me when they could have someone that's fully abled with two legs and could be everything that they could ever want and, and I genuinely believe that. And like over time I was like, you know what, what about like what's on the inside? Like what if I just worked on that and over time like I genuinely found out what my intentions of my heart and mind were and I was like I am a kind human and I care and I am genuine and like if that doesn't matter then like then you're not the one for me. And like I'm so grateful that I found the man that I did because he loves me for genuinely who I am. And I don't think like some people are like oh, you need to love yourself before you let someone else love you. But like I don't know if I fully agree with that at least in my situation because I like he's taught me how to like where my self worth is and that like my physical looks like he thinks I'm beautiful regardless. I could, I could have two and it wouldn't matter. Like, like he, it just, he loves me for the way that I am. And I just wish more people would like focus on like what's on the inside of others because like I look around, I meet people all the time and I'm like wow, like you're not like you're beautiful and you're so physically beautiful but like, and then you like get to know him and you're like well there's nothing going on inside. And I'm like, yeah, what do you mean? Like, right? I don't know. Just like that just matters so much.
- [78:56]
Interviewer
Yeah, it does. And you don't. Going within allows You. To find you, like, the real you, like, you're in the best, most powerful thing that you can be is authentic to yourself. And that's like, it's incredible. I think it's incredible here. But then it, like, it projects outward. Like people are. They are drawn to that.
- [79:16]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah.
- [79:16]
Interviewer
That's what draws people.
- [79:17]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah. And I just, like, I would rather have someone like, as a friend or whatever that. It's like, I'm drawn to you. Like, you are just like a light and rather than, oh, you're beautiful. Like, I want to be your friend, right?
- [79:28]
Interviewer
Yeah.
- [79:28]
Kennedy Bingham
Like, or beautiful. I want to be with you. And like, I just, I think for me that, like, put in a perspective of, like, it doesn't matter. Like, I can be beautiful on the outside the way that I am, but then, like, that's just, like, I have to talk to people and like, that matters so much more and like, I care so much more about that. And that's where I found my confidence in the situation. So that's what I always tell people. They're like, I don't know what to do to, like, help my self esteem. And I'm like, work on who you are as a human. Like, that will do everything for you because it eventually shows on the outside. You believe it because, like, everything on here, like, shows out here. Absolutely. And yeah, I love that.
- [80:08]
Interviewer
That's incredible.
- [80:08]
Kennedy Bingham
No.
- [80:09]
Interviewer
And it's so true. I have two questions for you. One, is it hard for you to see the picture?
- [80:15]
Kennedy Bingham
No.
- [80:16]
Interviewer
Okay, good.
- [80:17]
Kennedy Bingham
I can look at it. And I'm like, wow. You're like, you're just cool. Like, I'm just like, well, I'm proud of you.
- [80:22]
Interviewer
I'm like, I, I literally. It's the craziest way. Like, I'm gonna have to. I, I was like thinking, I was like. Because I usually don't use pictures in my TikTok, but like, you, like, I have to like people because it's like I said and like you said it's before all this crazy AI stuff. But it's like you look at that and you're like, how is that real? And how is there a picture of that? Because it's like, we hear these crazy stories, but you don't really get to see them.
- [80:48]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah. So I think for me, like, I look at it and I'm like, like, like, if, especially if I'm having a hard day, like, I, I'll be like, wow, like, like I live through that.
- [80:56]
Interviewer
Right. Literally, I did that.
- [80:58]
Kennedy Bingham
Remember who you are because, like, you lived through something like that. And you still chose to like, be happy and like live a fulfilling life. Like, and make it rather than making it sad. Like the video is sad. I watched it one time and it
- [81:10]
Interviewer
was like horrendous that the woman sent it to you.
- [81:13]
Kennedy Bingham
We, we had her send it. My dad had it. And I finally watched it, like after we'd had it for a little bit. It. And it's a hard watch. Like, it's like not just me up there. Like, it's them taking me off the water and you can hear me crying and screaming and like it's, it's a hard watch. And. Yeah. And I Like somebody would film. Yeah. And so that one's hard because it's
- [81:33]
Interviewer
like, that's, well, that's like it almost. It's like a video. It takes you back.
- [81:36]
Kennedy Bingham
So it's like, yeah, video is like, that's just so different. But the picture is like, like I can't believe, like you were strong enough to live that. Like, like you can do anything. And so for me, rather than using it as like, poor me, like, I'm like, that is me.
- [81:52]
Interviewer
Yeah. And then with the prosthetic, are there different. Did you have different options? Because I know my, my dad, when he was still alive, he had from the knee down, amputated.
- [82:03]
Kennedy Bingham
Okay.
- [82:04]
Interviewer
And I remember I always used to play when you're talking about like when they were like, you should touch it. I always would touch his nub because
- [82:11]
Kennedy Bingham
it was so squishy. Yeah, there was squishy. Anybody that doesn't get it, they won't
- [82:15]
Interviewer
understand, like, what the. But I'd always squish his nub.
- [82:18]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah.
- [82:18]
Interviewer
Cuz it's like the squishiest thing.
- [82:19]
Kennedy Bingham
My husband does it. He loves it like this.
- [82:21]
Interviewer
It's fun. It's like, it's fun to squish. But I remember he'd have to put like a sleeve and then it had like a stick kind of thing or like a metal rod and it would go into. But his was like, I think it looked like a leg. Like it was like you can get
- [82:36]
Kennedy Bingham
like all different kinds, like make him look like skin color. But I think for me, like I found power in being I. Yeah, I think that's sick. Like I, I, I always feel like, which no diss on anyone that does that with a prosthetic leg because, like, I don't know if it's ever like, oh, I want to look normal. Because some people.
- [82:53]
Interviewer
Well, like I was gonna ask, like, is it? Or like maybe a comfort thing. Like, is it like, depending on, like,
- [82:57]
Kennedy Bingham
I wonder if they're all pretty uncomfortable, but, like, I think most people that. It's like, they want to look as normal as possible. I'm not completely sure. But for me, like, I'm not gonna try to fit in with something that I'm not. And I want to, like, I want to be the way that I am. And so, like. Yeah, there's all different kinds. Like, you can get this part up here. Like, designs on it. And I just keep it black. And then. Yeah, I have the liner, and there's different ways to suspend it to keep it on. And, like, there's different knees for me. And so I actually just got a new one. And so, like, it. It has better technology to help me walk.
- [83:31]
Interviewer
Okay, Right. So you can, like, fully bend it and everything.
- [83:34]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah. And then I have a running blade, which is, like a hook. It's kind of a big C. Wow.
- [83:39]
Interviewer
Okay. So that's what you run with.
- [83:40]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah. Yeah. I can't run with this one, but, like, it has. It's a big spring, basically.
- [83:44]
Interviewer
Yeah, I've seen those before.
- [83:46]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah. Sick.
- [83:47]
Interviewer
That's amazing. And I know you said that can sometimes hurt.
- [83:50]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah.
- [83:51]
Interviewer
As far as, like, the running goes, do you feel like you favor that leg still, or it's kind of like you just do your thing?
- [83:59]
Kennedy Bingham
I try my best to, like, but it's just. It's hard. Like, even every day to life, I favor this side. Like, this side's definitely gonna. Gonna, like, my mom gets worried about all the time. She's like, you're left. Your right side's gonna be destroyed by the time you're, like, 30. And I'm like. But I'm, like, living my best life right now. Like, it might be. Yeah, I might need a hip replacement, whatever it is. But, like, Right. I don't. Because naturally. Yeah. Like, I dip when I walk. I try really hard, but you can tell when I'm tired because I'm like, yeah, dipping really bad, or I think it's this way, but. Yeah. But I try my best to, like, keep my body strong. Like, that's why I go to the gym, is like, that helps with, like. Like, the way that I walk and my gait and being able to, like, carry myself longer. But yeah, there's a lot of things that go into it that I don't think people realize. Like.
- [84:40]
Interviewer
Right.
- [84:41]
Kennedy Bingham
I'm pretty sure in order to walk, it takes, like, 70%. With an above the amputation, it's 70% more energy to walk than, like, a normal person. It's like a mile for you would be 70% harder for me to walk that mile. Like it's just crazy.
- [84:54]
Interviewer
And then how long after everything did you start being able to move your arm more?
- [85:00]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah, so this is a crazy story actually. My triceps is completely gone. Like I have no triceps. And so they were like, okay, how can we give her triceps? So they took my bicep and they cut it in half and they split it and they were like, we'll wire that to the triceps. I didn't end up taking. So now I only ended up shriveling. And so now I have half a bicep. But like I'm glad they tried. And then they also my wrist Struggling
- [85:23]
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Kennedy Bingham
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Kennedy Bingham
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- [86:51]
Kennedy Bingham
They made it so my wrist when it bends down, my elbow bends and so like it's all rewired. And so, like, at first.
- [86:58]
Interviewer
Amazing.
- [86:58]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah.
- [86:58]
Interviewer
What they can do.
- [86:59]
Kennedy Bingham
So I thought I was like, okay. So for a while I had to think, like, oh, bend your wrist down to bend your elbow. And then, like, I can lift it up. Which I don't know if they did anything for that or if that's just like, the little bit of. Because my shoulder wasn't necessarily, like, injured, even though it's pretty scrawny. But, yeah, I just miss. Like, I have. Have most of my muscles missing. And then a year after my accident, they. My. So my fingers used to. My wrist used to be down, and my fingers used to not work. I couldn't extend them or anything. And I hated it because I didn't want a floppy wrist and I wanted to be able to use my hand. And so a year later, they went in and they basically, like, just pulled my muscle up. So my wrist cannot go any flatter than that. Like, oh, nice. So it's just like permanently like that, which doesn't bother me.
- [87:42]
Interviewer
Gotcha. So it won't go down at all. Okay.
- [87:44]
Kennedy Bingham
It can't go down because when it does, that's as far as it goes down. And that's what my elbow bends.
- [87:48]
Interviewer
Gotcha.
- [87:48]
Kennedy Bingham
And then they made it so my thumb could extend, and so they've made my middle finger. I have a scar that when I pull my middle finger and my thumb goes up. It's crazy. That's wild.
- [88:00]
Interviewer
No, but like I said, like, if you didn't tell me, like, I wouldn't have thought that at any point your arm was paralyzed. Yeah, like, I would think, like, okay, obviously it was injured and it's weak, but, like, like, no, that's crazy.
- [88:12]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah, they just, like, rewired it. And like, the doctor that did it, she was telling us how she had. One lady had the same exact injury, and they took her to bend her elbow. They connected to her lung.
- [88:24]
Interviewer
Stop.
- [88:25]
Kennedy Bingham
So they connected to her lung, and every time she'd cough is when her elbow would bent. But then she ended up getting into, like, horses and riding horses. And the horse, like, obviously, like, when it runs, it would, like, like, push your air out. Oh, gosh. And her arm would, like, like, hit her in the face, basically. And I think they ended up having to amputate it because, like, the doctors just, like. I know, it's just crazy, like, what doctors can do, right? And then I had another friend. He was in an accident. He was in an accident like, a week after me. Same exact injury. It was like, freak Accident. Yeah. And, yeah, he wanted to talk to me to, like, hear about my injury, because I got my surgeries immediately, and he was like, oh, yeah, I'm going to California to this really great doctor, and they're gonna do it six months after. And I didn't know anything. And so I was like, this. I was like, that's super awesome. Like, I really hope the best for you. And then it turned out that, like, the doctors waited way too long, that that muscle had, like, gone away because there was no movement, like, which you can tell, like, mine's just scrawny. And so then, therefore, the nerves can't go to anything. He ended up getting no function because of, like, the lack of muscle. And so, like, I'm just grateful how everything happened. And it's just crazy, like, how doctors work, because, like, even my main artery that was torn right here, they rebuilt it, and then it started to collapse, and they, like, had inflated again or something, and then it started to collapse again, and they were like, okay, we need to, like, keep an eye on that. It ended up totally collapsing, and we had no idea. And so we went in the doctor, and they were, like, doing an X ray to, like, go in and balloon it, and they were like, this is the craziest thing ever. Your body remade an artery?
- [89:59]
Interviewer
My body, God.
- [90:00]
Kennedy Bingham
It collapsed the main one that they'd, like, fixed, and it rebuilt one to, like, give my body my arm blood again.
- [90:07]
Interviewer
That is crazy. It, like, literally makes my, like, it makes my eyes water kind of, because I'm just like, what? Like, how the. Sorry for my language. Like, literally. What the hell?
- [90:17]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah. Like, bodies are crazy. Like, people just, like, don't get.
- [90:20]
Interviewer
Your body's, like, I'm gonna show you, girlfriend. Like, I got this.
- [90:23]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah. The doctors, like, so it rebuilt its own.
- [90:26]
Interviewer
Yeah.
- [90:26]
Kennedy Bingham
And I was just like, okay. Like, your body just, like, figures it out.
- [90:30]
Interviewer
That's crazy. It's amazing.
- [90:32]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah, it's.
- [90:33]
Interviewer
I know whenever I see too, like, any type of. I don't really watch them often, but, like, any type of surgery video, I'm like, how do they know? Like, there's so many things in there. Like, how do they know what they're doing? It's crazy.
- [90:45]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah. Crazy.
- [90:46]
Interviewer
Oh, my gosh. But no, you're. Like. I said, your story is amazing. I've heard of. I. I heard it, I want to say, because I reached out re more recently.
- [90:56]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah.
- [90:56]
Interviewer
But I have heard of, Like, I had heard of your story before.
- [91:01]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah. And I've had people that were like, you need to go on this podcast. And I was always like, yeah, yeah, I've.
- [91:06]
Interviewer
I've heard of your story before. And I even want to say I had seen the photo before, because it wasn't like, I was like, I. This. I've seen this before. There's two stories. There was another one. I don't. This was. Was a long time ago, but it's like, things like this that stick with you. I think it was a girl. I don't know. Something also crazy where it's like, you were meant to survive. I think she got in an accident. Shock trauma came, went to fly her up, and then something happened with the helicopter. Helicopter crashed down, and she still survived it. Swear. Something, like, bizarre. And that was like, one of the other ones I heard of. That was, like, a long time ago. I just remember hearing it. I'm gonna have to look it up.
- [91:44]
Kennedy Bingham
Up.
- [91:44]
Interviewer
And then yours. I mean, maybe I, Like, Honestly, maybe years ago, like, prior to any of this, I'm. I'm sure maybe I stumbled across something.
- [91:54]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah. And I think most people, like, it's funny because I had this one experience. We were at this, like, it was in. It was a few hours from where I was from, and this couple was like, oh, where do you live? Or where are you from? And I was like, oh, Ducklow, Burley area. And they're like, oh, the only thing we know there is, like, this girl. And they started, like, telling me my story, and I was wearing a dress. Like, you can't tell. You couldn't see my leg, nothing. And they, like, start riffing off, like, basically everything. And I just let them, like, they were like. I was like, oh, that's crazy. Yeah, yeah. And they were like, so do you know her? And I was like, I am her. Because, like, no one knows. Like, right? Like, I think people forget my face. But then as soon as I, like, say, like, oh, this is me, like, even the other night, we were in the hot tub. Tub, and these people were. And they were, like, asking, and I was like, oh, yeah, like, if this is. Or like, if you ever saw the store. And they're like, that was you. Like, that happens all the time. Like, I think so many people know the story. They just don't necessarily know.
- [92:53]
Interviewer
And it's. It's. Can't say enough, but it's insane. It's crazy. I love, love, love, love when people take their stories and turn them into something that's empowering for them and other people. And I am such. I mean, it's so funny because now that you Know, once you get older, you realize the importance of the assemblies that we talked about and people speaking out. And I'm so glad that you've seen that that makes a difference, because even if it's just one child that could be saving someone's life, and it's. I wish it affected, like, when I was younger. Like, I just. I wish that I took those things more serious because it's like. Like, when we're that age, we don't even. We don't even really. Like, we have empathy, but we don't. We don't, like, really get it. And I just wish that I. I wish and I hope that every time you go and you share, like, everybody gets it, you have everybody's attention, and people take it seriously because it is so serious. And, you know, the reason why people speak out about their stories is to make a difference and to spread awareness and to make change and empower and. And obviously so many other things. Just even creating a safe place for people to feel like they can listen and feel and not feel so alone. And you should never. I tell people all the time, too, you know, no matter how many times you tell your story, never allow yourself to get too used to it, because every time you do it, it's just as powerful as the first time. Like, it's. It's. It is.
- [94:19]
Kennedy Bingham
And it's something different every time, right? Different things come out. Like, every podcast that I've done, I've definitely liked others more than others, but, like, there's always something different about it or, like, a different something that comes to you that you're like, I need to share this. And sending in my speaking events. It's like that. Like, I don't share that. But, like, for some reason, that came out, right? And it's like, yeah, sometimes it feels repetitive to you, and it feels like, oh, I've done this a million times. But, like, it always matters. Like, some people love to hear it.
- [94:50]
Interviewer
It literally. And that's, like, why people will ask me when. Like I was saying before, when they're, like, about the direction to go in and if there's anything that you shouldn't include, I'm like. Or they'll kind of be on the fence about something. And I always encourage people. I'm like, just wing it. Go with the flow. Because sometimes things will come up or I'll ask something that seems simple, but it might strike something, you know, that'll make you remember. Like, oh, that's like, if she wants to know that part. Like, I never talked about that before, and I'm like. And that's what I love. That's kind of why I go into them all blindly. Because, like, my friends will ask me, they're like, who are you filming today? And I'm like, I only know this gist of it, and I love it that way because I feel like it keeps it very natural and authentic, and it allows you to just take it wherever you feel like you want to take it for that day. And like you said, that's always changing, you know, and you might be feel more pulled or called to speak on one thing or pulled in a different direction, and that's kind of the beauty of it. And, you know, you're always growing and evolving and changing and absolutely, your story is always growing and evolving and changing. So you can always, always, you know, help other people in other ways and. And spread more awareness. And I love it. You're amazing at it. It's. It's. Seriously, it's. It's incredible. And you, you are definitely, without a doubt, meant to be here. Yeah, for sure.
- [96:02]
Kennedy Bingham
Yeah. We actually had an Uber driver this week, and he was like, you're my hair. You're here for a reason, not a season girl. So thrilled. Literally. I love it.
- [96:12]
Advertiser
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