My wife startles the same way and she is not cp. Of course her "jump" is not as exaggerated as mine. Bobby >i can startle my wife by just walking in if she is not expecting to see me. >i walk thru the house saying "i am home" or "it's me". she is worse than i >am. > >> -----Original Message----- >> From: Trisha Cummings [SMTP:[log in to unmask]] >> Sent: Friday, February 26, 1999 10:38 AM >> To: [log in to unmask] >> Subject: Re: Sensitive Startle Reflex >> >> Hi, >> >> >> >> > Is this normal or is this just with people how have CP? Kathy >> >> > >> >Sensitive startel reflex is extreemly common in people with CP. I don't >> think >> >it is very common outside of nurological dissorders. >> >> I think it is an individual thing. I startle beautifully and >> occassional >> at absolutely nothing more than a shadow. It is a side effects to years of >> physical and emotional abuse. My child who has CP doesn't startle easily >> but >> then she lives in a safe environment. Now, since the startle reflex is a >> brain level activity, and from what I see many of the CP children also >> have >> seizure disorders ( including my Amber) - perhaps the extreme startle >> reflex >> is more on the order of a mini seizure. Since I can be sitting perfectly >> still and suddenly had it go off - this kind makes sense. It is a bit hard >> on other peoples nerves and the crockery - tho!!! >> >> Brightest Blessings >> Trisha