It’s Startling
Originally published at orodor.org.uk. Please leave any comments there.
Despite being the most noticeable symptom of hemiplegia no-one ever really mentions the way that I walk, or hemiplegic gait to use the proper terminology. Funnily enough the most commented upon symptom that I show is one that I suspect no-one realises is even related to Cerebral Palsy, I didn’t even know it was myself until I started looking into things.
Primitive reflexes are reflex actions originating in the central nervous system that are exhibited by normal infants but not neurologically intact adults, in response to particular stimuli.
The Moro reflex is present at birth, peaks in the first month of life, and begins to disappear around 2 months of age, it is sometimes referred to as the startle reaction, startle response, startle reflex or embrace reflex.
I always just thought I was easy to frighten or just rather jumpy in general, but it turns out that the majority of people with Cerebral Palsy never really lose the infantile startle reflex. I’ve not found any solid proof as to why this happens, but out of all the symptoms I have it is definitely the most commented upon.
For those of you who fancy bringing out my infantile instincts, you’re most likely to be successful by walking round a corner as I come the opposite direction or making any loud noise whilst I’m even slightly relaxed.
For some reason it also seems to kick in if I’m accused of something that I didn’t do, which makes me look incredibly guilty even though I’m entirely innocent.