Columns

Some days, the world feels too far away, too cold, or simply too heavy to face. With Huntington’s disease, those days come more often than they used to. Sometimes it’s because my balance feels off, and icy sidewalks feel risky. Other times, my movements are unpredictable, and I’m not…

When I received my wife’s recent text, which she wrote in all caps — something she’s morally opposed to — the room seemed to tilt. I felt like dancing like a fool while laughing and crying at the same time. Jill had included a link with the following headline: …

On September 2, the Huntington’s disease community lost one of its brightest lights: Carlos Contreras. Born on May 22, 1976, Carlos’ journey was filled with joy, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to love. His life reminds us that even in the face of a devastating disease, it is…

A quiet evening at home recently threw me for a loop. My wife, Jill, and I were relaxing in our living room, watching a reality TV show, when one of the cast members used the term “woke” to insult someone. Without missing a beat, Jill looked at me with genuine…

When the first cool breeze arrives amid the fading hours of daylight, I feel a pull toward home. Fall invites me to create a space that’s not only beautiful but safe, comforting, and easy to move through — a home that feels like a soft blanket at the end of…

When my wife, Jill, was diagnosed with Huntington’s disease (HD), our world shifted. HD is a cruel, inherited, neurodegenerative illness that affects movement, cognition, and emotions. It’s a diagnosis that forces you to confront life’s fragility head-on. For us, it also became a wake-up call — a chance to…

Some changes arrive quietly, like leaves shifting one shade at a time until the whole tree glows with color. Friendship has been like that for me: not a single dramatic ending or beginning, but a gradual reshaping. One day, I looked back and realized the landscape of my relationships was…

My family has a running list of sayings I’m officially banned from using at home. Apparently, tossing out cheesy phrases multiple times a day is grounds for an intervention — at least according to my wife, Jill, and our daughter, Alexus. But for this column, I’m breaking the…

The transition from summer into fall is beautiful, with cooler breezes, golden leaves, and cozy routines. But for someone living with Huntington’s disease, the change isn’t just about swapping flip-flops for sweaters. Seasonal shifts can bring real changes in how our bodies feel, how our moods flow, and how…

I never thought I’d be driving to work listening to the Kelce brothers interview Taylor Swift about her upcoming “Life of a Showgirl” album on their “New Heights” podcast. At 61, my musical tastes have been pretty set for decades: Give me some Bruce Springsteen or U2, and…