Parker Stults | Gelastic Cataplexy | Niemann-Pick Type C

Parker watching Despicable Me. He was laughing so much his gelastic cataplexy was kinda kicking in (middle of video). That is where he suffers a loss of muscle control and his muscles go limp. You'll see how he jerks his head. Also you'll see a few times his Vertical Gaze Palsy (his eyes). Earlier today he really was "bent over" in his chair.

When we let him walk around he starts laughing uncontrollably and with those very loose movements he just collapses and falls down. Working on getting video of that. Everything in this video is multiplied by much more once we let him out to walk around.

Last night (1/29/2011) he fell after a few minutes and gashed his head on his left side on the corner of wall :(.

Niemann-Pick Type C disease is a degenerative neurological disease that is always fatal. NPC is caused by the accumulation of cholesterol w/n the cells and the cells inability to metabolize it. This leads to cell death and the accumulation of fatty lipids in the brain, liver, spleen, and bone marrow. The true damage is being done inside where we can't physically see until the neurological symptoms start to show themselves.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Parker Stults
• Brisan Stults
• Niemann-Pick Type C disease
• Gelastic Cataplexy
• Vertical Gaze Palsy
• NPC

[sfarah1441]

His laugh is adorable!

[mustangmike07]

@sfarah1441 :)

[lostinthemoment19]

He has the most heartwarming laugh :)

[mshartz5]

I used to have a similar reaction (the Cataplexy) when I was withdrawing from my depression/anxiety meds.

To maybe help explain the feeling for him, for me it was like getting an electric shock in mybrain that made my body jitter and go limp. Luckily I got better after weening off, but it must be hard for him knowing that no one can truly understand what he is going through.

Inspiring video, though. Life is what you make of it. :)

[ACURachaelH]

What a cutie!!

[MegaBubba72]

What a wonderful blessing he seems to be! His laughter is pure preciousness :)

[lnschnei]

he is so cute