A cheerleader can now only walk backwards following a freakish reaction to the swine flu jab.

Desiree Jennings, 25, was struck down by a one-in-a-million condition triggered by the H1N1 vaccine which has left her virtually paralysed, according to a report in The Sun.

Walking is painful for Jennings whose muscle spasms means she twists and jerks before collapsing.

But the symptoms disappear when she runs or walks backwards. The condition emerged around 10 days after she had flu shots.

Jennings went to the local Safeway for the vaccine as a precaution to avoid being sick with the flu, but soon became very sick.

"I had flu-like symptoms — nausea, vomiting, body aches, fever — was a slow week and began to fade," said Jennings.

The recently married brunette, from Virginia in the US, was training to be a professional cheerleader with the NFL's Washington Redskins.

She said: "This has ruined my life ... running is all I have left now."

Stars such as Hollywood comic Jim Carrey have been moved by Jennings' plight and have offered her charitable support.

The actor is known for his anti-vaccination stance.

According the Sun, which posted video of Jennings on its website, doctors have diagnosed her with the rare neurological condition dystonia.

Symptoms of muscle spasms can be treated with botox which freezes muscle movement.

Questions as to whether the cheerleader's story is a hoax, are circulating the internet.

Source: Ninemsn, Sat Oct 24 2009, http://news.ninemsn.com.au/world/919713/cheerleader-walking-backwards-after-flu-jab

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