Man 'scared stiff' by loud fireworks - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

waichingliu81 · 11-05-2008, 12:22 PM

Wednesday, November 5 2008, 05:40 GMT

By Simon Reynolds, Entertainment Reporter

A man from Accrington has revealed that he suffers from a genetic disorder which causes his body to stiffen and collapse to the ground.

Andy Latham told The Telegraph that the heightened startle reflex causes particular problems around Bonfire Night.

He said: "Some people might jump when a firework goes off, but I'm literally scared stiff.

"My whole body will seize and stiffen, causing me to fall over like a dead weight. It can be very dangerous - one year I fell over and banged my head when a firework went off and had to go to hospital and have stitches."

He continued: "I have the major form of Hyperekplexia which means I have an exaggerated startle response to the unexpected."

Latham, who performs with disabled stripping troupe The Crippendales, said he prevents himself from injury by wearing earplugs, upping his medication and lying straight in bed or on the floor.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/odd/a134...fireworks.html

TripperFan · 11-05-2008, 06:28 PM

At first this sounds funny, but it really does happen. I heard about these goats years ago. They can't help it! Looks hilarious, but being a human, I don't think it would be as funny. lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOPhxuorN0Q

Chocoholic · 11-06-2008, 04:31 PM

I never heard of that before. Weird...

11-05-2008, 12:22 PM	#1
waichingliu81 debbie allen Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 28, 2006 Location: london, england, UK Posts: 4,347	Man 'scared stiff' by loud fireworks Wednesday, November 5 2008, 05:40 GMT By Simon Reynolds, Entertainment Reporter A man from Accrington has revealed that he suffers from a genetic disorder which causes his body to stiffen and collapse to the ground. Andy Latham told The Telegraph that the heightened startle reflex causes particular problems around Bonfire Night. He said: "Some people might jump when a firework goes off, but I'm literally scared stiff. "My whole body will seize and stiffen, causing me to fall over like a dead weight. It can be very dangerous - one year I fell over and banged my head when a firework went off and had to go to hospital and have stitches." He continued: "I have the major form of Hyperekplexia which means I have an exaggerated startle response to the unexpected." Latham, who performs with disabled stripping troupe The Crippendales, said he prevents himself from injury by wearing earplugs, upping his medication and lying straight in bed or on the floor. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/odd/a134...fireworks.html

11-05-2008, 06:28 PM	#2
TripperFan In God's Arms Now Forum Star Join Date: Sep 14, 2003 Location: Heartbreak Ridge Posts: 12,086	At first this sounds funny, but it really does happen. I heard about these goats years ago. They can't help it! Looks hilarious, but being a human, I don't think it would be as funny. lol http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOPhxuorN0Q
	__________________ If I don't see you in this world, I'll meet you in the next one.....don't be late James Marshall Hendrix Voodoo Chile The Forum Legend formerly known as TripperFan "religion is for people who are afraid of hell--spirituality is for people who have been through hell"---anonymous

11-06-2008, 04:31 PM	#3
Chocoholic Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 11,235	I never heard of that before. Weird...