I'll bite.
How about "Ondine's curse" secondary to bulbar poliomyelitis.
In this condition, compression of the medulla destroys autonomic respiratory function but leaves voluntary respiratory innervation unharmed. The condition is aptly named after a German mythical character named Ondine, a water nymph who, after being unfaithful to his mortal lover, was cursed with the loss of all his automatic functions. He eventually collapsed in exhaustion and died.