About 20 some years ago I was standing under a bus shelter there was a really bad storm, lightning hit the bus shelter pole and I was next to it, I got struck by the connector bolt and I woke up in the hospital (no scars or burns) but has slight amneisia and malaise. For about 4 hours I was sort of blank but most of my memory came back, I also experienced sudden extreme chills about a hour after.
 Then it started to happen. My pshychic ability kicked in like a beacon. Since that time I was able to tell people things about them that I didnt even know.
Im also an Empath too so I can be standing near someone and feel what they are feeling, and It seems I attract people, i will get someone who suddenly comes up to me and starts talking to me about their life, or something.Oh and I always get someone asking me for directions or to recommend a place of some sort .
Having told quite a few people things that I know nothing about these people they get quite freaked out! I can do this online too sometimes but not always.

Just curious if anyone out there has a similar experience?

Traumatic events can allow us to release our physical/material hold on our consciousness and allow a more spirit consciousness to operate.  That is the psychic abilities that open and expand during the trauma.  

As to empathic talents it is important to learn all you can and then you will know how and when to use them to the best good.

Somtimes it is scarry that I can feel other's emotions. I have been actually physically sickend by a few people who I know hated me being in the same environment. I avoid them completely it happens every time.

Its so hard to control.

My Mother was a pshychic too so I may have had these abilitys when i was really younger and just never used them but that lightning incedent brang it out strong.

The best thing to do with the abilities is protect them all the time so the spirit is not overwhelmed.  Begin each day visualizing a bubble of protection...similar to a bubble blown from a child's soap bubble pipe...complete with a rainbow patch (rainbows are such magical, mystical symbols of connection, bridges, communication...complete with a pot of gold (prosperity) at the end).  See this bubble as a filter of all negativity...from within and without.

I read some where that a person that gets hit with lightning should be a practising shaman. go figure