Columns

Should I Get a Huntington’s Tattoo?

When I was a sophomore in college, I debated going blond. It was January, and every winter, I usually cut or dye my hair. I always need a change of pace during winter. Normally, I go with red or black, and my mom can easily dye my hair.

It’s Not About You … It’s About Me

I have decided to get my wife a T-shirt that reads, “It’s not you, it’s me.” I want to get it for her so she can wear it each time she visits a doctor. As if her having Huntington’s disease is not bad enough, eight months ago she started…

Mental Preparedness Is Crucial Ahead of Genetic Testing

As I mentioned in my debut column of “Negative to Positives” a couple weeks ago, I have a genuine passion for helping those undergoing genetic testing for Huntington’s disease, which is an incredibly challenging life hurdle. Many members of this community watch their parents slowly and progressively decline, and…

The Protective Mindset of a Caregiver

I’m protective, a trait typical of most men. For example, I will drive for 18 hours across the country while my wife sleeps in the passenger seat. Jill has trouble sleeping in general, and the motion of the car acts as a sedative, rocking her to sleep. Long…

Life Is Short, So Live It Well

The anniversary of my sister’s death is coming up in about a month. Rose died on Halloween last year after a massive red oak tree fell on the car she was in during a fierce storm. The car was parked in her driveway, and the tree was from a…