Question
My brother is paralyzed from top of the stomach down. Tonight his friend was tickling his feet and they moved. She stopped tickling and did it again. Each time she did it they moved,but he said he didn't feel it. What does this mean?

Answer
Dear Teisha, That is quite common in Quadriplegics. Unfortunately it is called; "Reflex" - An involuntary response to a stimulus involving nerves not under control of the brain. Or as it is more commonly called; "Babinski's reflex" - (named after Fr. neurologist Joseph Babinski, 1857-12932) Dorsiflexion of the great toe when the sole of the foot is stimulated. Normally, when the lateral aspect of the sole of the relaxed foot is stroked, the great toe flexes. In English that just means the big toe moves without your brother trying to move it. When it moves when he is trying to move it then everyone can get excited. I hope that happens, and that he gets all his return.

Sincerely, Ken