My Sleep Paralysis Experience

While visiting my grandfather in Florida, I went through the most frightening experience of my life. At roughly 3am, I was awakened by my mother knocking on my grandpa's door, claiming she was having trouble breathing; they shortly departed for the nearest hospital. Alone, and unable to sleep, I laid down on the couch waiting for them to return.

At around 4am, very suddenly, I felt the cushion being pushed down right behind my back, as if somebody had sat down. At that moment, I felt a pair hands touch my back, and I was pushed up against the back of the couch. I tried to move, but soon realized I couldn't move at all. My body felt as if it was being burned from the inside out, and when I tried to scream for help, I only choked. I got the overwhelming feeling that I was going to die. I glanced up and saw an electrically bright blue rectangular shape in the corner of the room.

As suddenly as it began, it was finished. The whole experience lasted only about 1-2 minutes, but I was too petrified to move until the sun came up. I went on the computer and found this site, and identified my experience to relate closely to what many call sleep paralysis. I haven't been able to sleep well since, due to the fear that it will happen again. I am very interested in talking to other people who had this happen to them, and believe it to be paranormal and not just medical.

Also, I think that this has happened to me once before about 4 months ago, when I was in my own bed. But I had dismissed it as a dream, because I could hear the sound of a distressed cat, and loud, rushed footsteps. Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated!