My wife, Jill, has Huntington’s disease — a rare, neurodegenerative illness that can seem to rule her life. One of the hardest things to deal with is Jill’s nearly constant worrying about going places. It’s difficult to…
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Music has always been more than just sound to me. It’s a lifeline. Living with Huntington’s disease (HD), I’ve faced physical challenges, emotional hurdles, and moments of deep introspection. During the most difficult times, music has been my refuge, helping me manage my mood, find peace, and lift my…
The weight of my family’s history often feels like a shadow I can’t outrun. My mother battled bipolar disorder while my father fought his demons with alcohol. I lost both of my sisters far too young, and now my beloved wife, Jill, and our daughter, Alexus,…
Living with Huntington’s disease (HD) presents rare challenges, including managing symptoms that can affect physical, mental, and emotional well-being. One of the often overlooked aspects of maintaining health with HD is cultivating good sleep hygiene. When sleep is interrupted or inadequate, the ripple effects on our bodies and minds…
After my wife, Jill, was diagnosed with Huntington’s disease (HD) in 2018, we gained a new level of appreciation for people affected by terrible storms and other natural disasters. The rare disease she inherited made us realize, in deeper ways, that what she’s experiencing as her neurodegenerative illness progresses…
In 2012, my life took an unexpected turn when I was diagnosed with Huntington’s disease (HD). The road to that diagnosis had been long and filled with confusion, but the moment I received an answer, my future felt uncertain. As part of my treatment plan,…
My wife, Jill, has always been a fighter, no question about it. Before her Huntington’s disease diagnosis, she’d march into any battle against anyone or anything without hesitation, no matter the stakes. After she learned that she’d experience the same decline from Huntington’s as her father did, though, she seemed to…
Living with Huntington’s disease (HD) presents many physical hurdles, but the toll it takes on mental health is often overlooked. Many people, including myself, experience intense bouts of anxiety and depression as part of this journey. Coping with the physical symptoms of HD can be exhausting, and the…
If there’s one thing I know about my wife, Jill, who’s gene-positive for Huntington’s disease (HD), it’s that she seems to have a funny relationship with electronics. Over the years, her cellphones have developed quirks: missed calls, delayed texts, ghost vibrations when there’s nothing there. It’s not that she’s…
Navigating a new diagnosis of Huntington’s disease (HD) is a profoundly personal journey through a range of emotions, from shock and disbelief to worry. I know this experience all too well. Reflecting on my own path from diagnosis to today, there are so many lessons I wish I could…
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