33-year old man 'literally scared stiff' of bonfire night

Thursday, 6th November 2008

Written by Francesca Cookney

Do fireworks make you jump? That's nothing, says Andy Latham.

Come November, the 33-year old from Great Harwood, Lancashire has to resort to beer and earplugs to stop him keeling over with fright. As a sufferer of a rare condition called hyperekplexia, Andy feels fear more acutely than most; the shock of a loud bang can turn him into a deadweight as his body reacts dramatically to the fright.

"My whole body will seize and stiffen, causing me to fall over," he says. "It can be very dangerous. One year a firework went off, my body stiffened and I fell over and banged my head. I had to have stitches." Not his favourite time of year then?

While most of us are wrapped up warm and enjoying a cheeky sparkler, Andy has to lie down and dose himself up to avoid any more accidents. "I get so nervous I can't pass urine. I will usually take more medication and turn my TV up loud to drown out the fireworks."

Clapping, barking dogs and the telephone can also give him a jolt so in some ways bonfire night isn't so bad because he can prepare himself – he also finds that a beer or two can help to take the edge off his startled reaction.

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