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My wife, Jill, loves the thrill of roller coasters. The higher, faster, and twistier the ride, the better. Most people scream, but Jill never feels calmer than when she’s on a coaster. She’s one of those rare people who can focus better and handle stress more effectively when an…

My wife, Jill, has always been a force of nature when it comes to home projects. From assembling furniture to organizing or fixing appliances, Jill has been unstoppable. I’ve lost count of the times I’ve gone to bed with an unopened box in the living room, only to…

Who will become the next president? I’m actually talking about the next president of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA), the largest public nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by Huntington’s disease (HD) through research, education, and advocacy. Louise Vetter served…

I sat across from my wife, Jill, watching her organize her nail polish. When she paused, I could see the weight of her body language: She was slumped forward, which is unusual for her, as she usually projects positivity in everything she says and does. She was…

“I wake up panicking and find it hard to unclench the ball of anxiety tightening in my chest.” — Melanie Pearson, from her first blog post about caring for her brother with Huntington’s disease. I understand Melanie’s feelings. Huntington’s has also taken the lives of my dad, grandad, and…

Our peaceful neighborhood was recently shaken by an unexpected tragedy. Our neighbors across the street, in the midst of renovating their roof, watched helplessly as a single spark from a power saw ignited a fire that caused extensive damage to their home. As I stood with my wife, Jill,…

As a caregiver to my wife, Jill, who is gene-positive for Huntington’s disease, I’ve learned that helping isn’t always as straightforward as it seems. Recently, as I watched her face scrunch up in frustration while she looked at her to-do list, I reminded her that she could…

“The brain is like a muscle. When it is in use we feel very good. Understanding is joyous.” — Carl Sagan  A chance meetup last summer with a local in my community led to a slightly random conversation about brain donation. I was discussing a genetic test I…

It’s been a hot summer so far, which isn’t the greatest weather for my wife, Jill, to deal with. She is gene-positive for Huntington’s disease, which causes her to have difficulty regulating her body temperature. But recently, a rainstorm was followed by a soft, summer breeze…

Huntington’s disease presents a complex range of behavioral, cognitive, physical, and psychological symptoms. It poses many challenges to families, friends, caregivers, and people who are living alone with this condition. Huntington’s has taken the lives of my dad, grandad, and great-grandmother. I tested negative for…