A Family Tradition - a Column by Carlos Briceño

The other day, I overheard something beautiful that made me pause and reflect. My wife, Jill, who is gene-positive for Huntington’s disease, was on the phone, comforting a friend struggling with caregiving responsibilities. “You’re doing an amazing job,” Jill told our friend. “Remember, even on the toughest days, your…

My wife, Jill, recently challenged a sentiment she hears far too often: that people with Huntington’s disease should feel “grateful” it’s a slow-moving condition, unlike amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Her reaction struck a deep chord in me and revealed an important truth about how we view devastating rare and…

As my wife, Jill, and I sat at a sidewalk cafe, we basked in the warmth of the sun — a welcome feeling after what had felt like a lifetime of gloomy winter weather. Jill’s diagnosis of Huntington’s disease is an unwelcome companion in our lives, but it’s also…

As I entered our living room recently, I was met with a scene that caught me off guard. My wife, Jill, was sitting on the couch, tears streaming down her face while watching “The Masked Singer.” This wasn’t unusual in itself; she loves the show for its music…

Last in a series. Read part one. In my last column, I wrote about mental health issues and shared some advice from Alexis Ryan, a psychiatric nurse practitioner that my wife, Jill, sees to help her cope with Huntington’s disease. In part two of the series, I inquired…

First in a series. Talking about mental health was taboo when I was younger. Thankfully, that has changed for me — especially at home. My wife, Jill, who is gene-positive for Huntington’s disease, knows that two of its symptoms, anxiety and depression, may require medication and talking to…

If I ever need a short, concise way to describe something, I consult my wife, Jill. So when a friend asked Jill to describe some of the challenges she’s faced with Huntington’s disease, she began with one of its most devastating symptoms: the gradual loss of cognitive function. Jill shared…

Two weeks before Valentine’s Day, my wife, Jill, approached me with an unexpected request: “Let’s go away for Presidents Day weekend.” When I hesitated, citing work deadlines, her expression changed. “I’m feeling bad juju about being home,” she admitted quietly, a statement that immediately concerned me given her ongoing battle…

I recently learned something valuable: Not every item we buy is made to accommodate people with disabilities. This realization came with a mix of frustration and enlightenment, sparked by something as mundane — and essential — as a computer screen. My epiphany started when my wife‘s laptop broke, the…

As we approach Rare Disease Day on Feb. 28, I find myself reflecting on the journey of my wife, Jill, with Huntington’s disease (HD) and the struggles that families affected by genetic conditions face. One issue I’m focused on is a critical gap in healthcare policy that continues to…