Last post Fri, Aug 29 2008 3:33 PM by borntowin. 44 replies.
Since I'm going offline for a couple of days, until someone else chimes in, Disaboom has some good general info on CP on the Health Section. The United Cerebral Palsy website is another good place for info.
The short answer is that CP itself does not affect intellengence. It affects movement.
However the same brain damage that causes CP can also cause mental retardation. So a higher percentage of people with CP have cognitive impairment than in the general population. A higher percentage also have seizures, hearing impairment and visual impairment. But none of those are in the definition either and so it really depends on the individual.
You can learn a lot about CP without asking your student. However you can't learn about how CP specifically affects her without asking her or her family or other people who know her well. Hang around here for a bit, read some posts and you will see how different we all are!
Yes its scary. But you and I have had a long full life. Remember that movie "Logan's Run" can you imagine if we were terminated at 30. Anway I wonder whatr year this book was published, if was in the last 8 years. I wouldn't be surprised if it the Bush cabinet (Neocons). Don't get me started about that ...
My startles are mostly the same as the other but how about when you're having a conversation with someone and you get the suddenly get the urge to yawn or sneeze and can't withhold it. Or a sudden unexpected coughing jag. Swallow something that went down the wrong pipe and cough up its remains. Or sneeze and have phlem or something partially eaten flies out. Gosh, talk about embarrassing ... Even when I know someone is coming they scare me. A knock (loud or soft) at the door even though I'm expecting them (UPS). Getting caught eating or drinking something out of the box or carton in front of the refrigerator because I didn't want to dirty a plate or cup. I blew milk out of my nose because of that person. People who come (creep) up behind me and blurt something out unexpectly.
With me any loud or unexspected noises, people walking up behind me to get my attention.. I know that stuff can startle most but you should see me when I get startled, it's a funny site to say the least..
Well- let's see... add my name to the loud noises list... especially like guns, bubble wrap, balloons, construction site stuff, fire alarms, sirens, fireworks.
Then there's the unexpected taps on the shoulder and the fur people alarm clocks that rouse me out of a sound sleep
Has anyone ever repeatedly startled you because they thought it was funny? When my son Jeremy was little, a neighbor kid thought his startle reflex was hilarious. When the neighbor's sister came over he had to show her, "Hey, watch this!" and clapped loudly. After ignoring a few requests to not do that anymore, I finally sent them home.
Jeremy startles the worst when he's almost asleep, even a barely audible click can put air between him and his bed.
But somehow, if it's a party, anything goes...
Jmom:
Has anyone ever repeatedly startled you because they thought it was funny?
The answer is yes! The worst part is that it was family members(uncles, cousins)mostly. I would feel angry and embarrassed at the same time.As to what startles me:
1. loud or unexpected noises
2. People quietly coming up to or behind me to get my attention
Loud noises and people sneaking up on me startle me too. Though I am not sure if this is due to CP in my case, or due to post-traumatic stress disorder which I also have and also yields hyper-startle reactions! I guess I have it from both sides!
LOUD THUNDER ! RAINEY XO OOOPS I DON'T HAVE CP ! { POLIO }
Wow, I'm glad I looked into this thread! I do not have CP but have dealt with passengers who had CP on many-many occasions. What I became aware of was emotional responses of many who had CP. I noticed many would not only react with facial expressions but the rest of their body went right along for the ride. Be it a happy or unhappy response, it was a whole-body experience.
So, help me here.....how can I best interact with someone who has CP without totally freaking them out with startle reactions? And while I'm at it, how best is it for me to communicate effectively without causing further embarrassment, frustration, or resentment? It's part of my profession to know.
Some startling is inevitable. You can't stop all sudden noises. Unfortunately.
But there is a lot you can do. Always of course, when in doubt, ask your clients.
A general suggestion is to warn people before you move them or touch them, especially from behind. If you need to move part of someone's body, say "I'm going to buckle your seat belt now" or whatver and then wait a few seconds before doing it.
One pet peeve of mine is that whenever someone accidentlay startles me just walking into the room and talking to me while I'm lost in thought, they are always like "I didn't mean to scare you!" People with CP often startle, it doesn't necessarily mean we're scared and doesn't always need an appology. Especially from people I work with who know I have CP and startle. If they actually DID something to me, like grab from behind, then I'd want an appology but that's different.
Thanks for this thread, I have a heightened startle response but i don't have CP. I always was told and thought that I was a scardy cat cause of my reactions to sudden actions by others or loud noises like firecrackers.
I am a polio survivior. post polio syndrom now, I can only watch firecrackers on television, with the volume down, the real things no way. Remember screaming as a child in fear of semi truck rumbling pass our home. Still startle badly if grandson jumps out and says "boo" to me or if someone touches me without me knowing they were there. Comforting to know that its not just a solitary quirk but is something that can be put in a catagory.
Blessings
Becky W
Hey,
I am new here, love those shirts! Tipping hazard, Great!!! Anyway I am 38 married with kids, I jump at lots of things I am not as bad as when I was a kid but still it happens. My kids can't figure it out! LOL
Jen
Has someone startled me because it was funny to them? YES! Friends, and family my kids sometimes. I tell them when I die because one day I'll fall & get killed it wont be so funny!
