"The fact is HD affects more people than hemophilia and as many as cystic fibrosis or muscular dystrophy: more than a quarter of a million Americans have or are at risk for inheriting HD."

What is Huntington’s Disease?

Huntington’s disease is a fatal degenerative brain disorder that slowly destroys both body and mind.

The affected person becomes completely dependent on others for all aspects of care.

Early symptoms of Huntington’s Disease may include depression, mood swings, forgetfulness and lack of coordination. As brain cells become depleted in a part of the brain called the basal ganglia, the severity of symptoms increases. Personality changes appear, along with decreased mental capacity, slurred speech and memory loss.

Huntington’s disease can cause schizophrenia like symptoms in some patients.

The mental and emotional suffering of the patients psychosis can devastate the entire family.

Once in the grip of this devastating disease there is no remission and no cure. Nothing can be done to slow or stop this disease’s relentless course. In the final stages, the patient is completely dependant on others for all aspects of care.

For Generations, Huntington’s Disease (HD) has been regarded as a mysterious and shameful affliction. Families were stigmatized by the disease and shunned by their communities. We are working to bring awareness and education so that families do not have to live in the dark, alone. We are working to stop the persecution of HD families and children by educating anyone who will listen.

The fact is HD affects more people than hemophilia and as many as cystic fibrosis or muscular dystrophy: more than a quarter of a million Americans have or are at risk for inheriting HD.

Huntington’s Disease affects males and females of all races and can strike at any age. Huntington’s disease usually strikes between 30 and 50, after a person has married, started a family, and therefore passed on the affected gene to their children.

Every child of an affected parent has a 50/50 chance of inheriting HD. If you do not inherit the defective gene you will not get HD and you can not pass it on.

Many families do not say anything about the disease to family members and the stigma of the disease has kept so many in the dark. Huntington’s disease has even been linked to the Salem Witch trials. The choric dance and bazaar movements make life very hard for the affected. Many people are accused of drug abuse and or alcoholism when they have never used or drank in their lives. The motto “don’t judge a book by it’s cover” really does apply to HD affected and their families.