Columns

Is Huntington’s Disease Interfering with My Work?

There is some evidence in the Huntington’s disease literature that suggests people with the gene may lack insight into how they have started to show signs of the illness. This terrifies me for several reasons, but for the focus of this column, I’ll discuss the possible effect this…

What Would Dr. Huntington Think Today?

It’s time for us to enter our Huntington’s disease (HD) time machine and travel back to the year 1872. It is here that we find Dr. George Huntington sitting in his clinic’s office handling a package. He runs his thumbs along the seam to ensure its closure, turns it…

The Monsters Under the Bed

“The Talk” has a very different meaning to most people than it does in our home. When our daughter was born, my wife, Jill, had a very clear wish that we would always be open and honest with our daughter about things. By “things,” Jill meant most everything. She wanted…

A Letter to My Grandmother

My grandmother died from Huntington’s disease (HD) complications in 1987. I was 13 years old at the time, so my memories of her are few and limited to a time in her journey when she was more advanced in her symptoms. I have no personal recollections of what she…

Our Family’s Bad Dream Won’t Go Away

Family traditions often include fond memories. For instance, President John F. Kennedy’s family tradition involved sailing a 25-foot sailboat called the Victura. The open sea, the wind at your back, the blue skies, the sun sparkling off the water — who wouldn’t look back at those memories and not smile…