A Family Tradition
— Carlos Briceño

Death wasn’t something I thought much about when I was younger. My mortality felt distant and abstract. Then, over a 16-year period, everything changed: My two older sisters died, one from cancer and the other from a tragic accident, and my parents also passed away. During that time frame,…

In 2018, in the months leading up to when my wife, Jill, was diagnosed as gene-positive with Huntington’s disease (HD), we kept our worries to ourselves about the symptoms she was exhibiting, including chorea and depression. We knew they were classic signs of HD, but it was difficult to…

I’ve always loved watching the Olympics. Seeing athletes in dazzling form and fierce competition compels my attention, and the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris was no different. Little did I know that watching one event would lead my wife, Jill, and I to have a profound conversation about honesty,…

My wife Jill‘s love knows no bounds. She’s patient, forgiving, and understands me deeply. Yet, I sometimes act without considering how my decisions affect her. Here’s an example: I like to speak in public. I frequently discuss my faith, and although Jill doesn’t always share my beliefs, she…

For years, my wife, Jill, had asked me to watch a TV show she thought I’d love. I spent all of that time saying no, but this year, I finally broke down and watched “The Sopranos.” As it played, I found myself reflecting on something profound: Grieving doesn’t get…

My wife, Jill, and I often find ourselves in airports with free time while visiting family across the country. To escape the chaos in waiting areas, we often watch TV shows on my iPad. Recently, we finished HBO’s “Succession,” a drama about a global media…

As someone whose wife and daughter are gene-positive for Huntington’s disease (HD), I’m always interested in any new studies and advancements in treatment. So when a friend recently called to let me know that the Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA) is hosting a meeting in November…

Halloween is coming next month. It’s my wife Jill’s favorite holiday, mainly because she likes scary experiences. Her excitement is like a child’s when she enters a haunted house or steps onto a roller coaster. There’s something about the rush — that heart-pounding excitement — that makes her fearless…

My wife, Jill, sometimes daydreams about items we could sell on Etsy, an online store for handmade or vintage products. One idea is a T-shirt that says: “I’m not drunk. I have Huntington’s disease.” Jill is gene-positive for the disease, as was her father and multiple people…

My wife, Jill, has always been the embodiment of resilience. She’s the type of person who can power through even the most daunting circumstances. I loved this quality when we met because it was a testament to her strength of character. She especially relies on her toughness as she…

My wife, Jill, loves the thrill of roller coasters. The higher, faster, and twistier the ride, the better. Most people scream, but Jill never feels calmer than when she’s on a coaster. She’s one of those rare people who can focus better and handle stress more effectively when an…

My wife, Jill, has always been a force of nature when it comes to home projects. From assembling furniture to organizing or fixing appliances, Jill has been unstoppable. I’ve lost count of the times I’ve gone to bed with an unopened box in the living room, only to…