A Family Tradition - a Column by Carlos Briceño

A neighbor recently told my wife, Jill, and me that her eyesight is getting worse, so she can’t continue reading, which is her favorite pastime. Jill told her about a column I recently wrote about audiobooks, noting that they had helped Jill with her own reading difficulties and…

Watching my wife, Jill, give advice to people touched by Huntington’s disease (HD) during a recent online support group meeting reminded me of the importance of sharing wisdom. Knowing she’s gene-positive for the rare, terminal illness she inherited from her late father has given her the opportunity…

Huntington’s disease, a neurodegenerative condition, can cause symptoms that are often unpredictable and debilitating. My wife, Jill, who is gene-positive for Huntington’s, has provided me with valuable insight into what she feels by coming up with some impressive descriptions of it. Jill shared a poignant description…

As my wife, Jill, and I recently made our way through Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, I saw her glance longingly at a Starbucks we passed on the way to our gate. We were headed to Boston to visit family but were running a little…

Ah, spring has finally sprung. Plants are blooming, trees are budding, and the weather is warmer. As a result, my wife, Jill, and I recently decided to take advantage of the beauty exploding around us, along with the good weather, by spending the day in the nation’s capital, close…

From time to time, my son-in-law, René, will ask me “when you were young” questions, usually to poke good-natured fun at me. Here’s what I mean: I was born in 1964, but if you heard what he’s asked me — such as, “Did you use an abacus instead of…

Recently, as I sat on the couch enjoying the sound and smell of my wife Jill’s tea brewing, I thought about life’s simple pleasures. Normally, Saturdays are packed with all the chores and errands we didn’t do during the week, but not this day. The only thing on our agenda…

I’ve come to a realization that has impacted my viewpoint about the importance of voting and advocating for political candidates who prioritize healthcare. It was prompted by my wife Jill’s diagnosis of Huntington’s disease (HD) and the challenges we’ve faced navigating the healthcare system as we deal with…

Recently, I’ve found myself grappling with a complex mix of emotions. On the one hand, I’m filled with admiration for the incredible strength and positivity that my wife, Jill, exudes every day in the face of Huntington’s disease (HD). On the other hand, there’s a lingering sadness…

As regular readers of this column know, I love my wife, Jill, with all my heart. I love her simplicity. I love her sense of humor. And of course, I love that she’s the mother of our wonderful daughter, Alexus. Still, I have to admit…