A Family Tradition - a Column by Carlos Briceño

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…

For Valentine’s Day each year, I write my wife, Jill, something romantic. It’s my way of expressing the depth of my love for her as she battles Huntington’s disease, an inherited neurodegenerative terminal illness. Each of the columns, which often are in the form of a play, has been…

When I met my wife, Jill, I had a different view of healthcare than I do now. Since she learned she was gene positive with Huntington’s disease in 2018, I’ve been forced to look at healthcare through Jill’s eyes. We’ve gone to countless doctor appointments together, where I’ve witnessed…

One of the many issues my wife, Jill, faces as she battles Huntington’s disease (HD) is dealing with mental healthcare providers who treat HD patients by the book. Here’s what I mean: They follow a very specific, rigid protocol that makes her feel like she’s not being seen as an…

When I first read about a recent study from the University of Iowa, which showed that a common heart drug may slow the progression of Huntington’s disease, my heart skipped a beat. My wife, Jill, battles Huntington’s, which has been our family’s greatest challenge — mainly because there’s been so little…

Picture a family tree, its branches stretching toward the sky, vibrant with life, yet bearing the deep scars of an inherited gene mutation — one that causes Huntington’s disease (HD). For those unfamiliar, this neurodegenerative illness ruthlessly destroys the mind and body by erasing memories and stripping away independence.