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Fifty years—that’s how long Joe and Elisa Parks have been attached at the hip. The couple first met when they were eleven years old. To this day, Elisa swears that they knew they would be together from the first time they held hands. Their relationship persisted—through high school, then college, through to the rest of their lives. They have built something beautiful together, and a large part of that has been working together to overcome challenges. One of the largest challenges? The Huntington’s disease diagnosis that has shaped Elisa’s family history. 

According to ABC Action News, Elisa’s mother and sister were both diagnosed with Huntington’s disease just a few years after Elisa and Joe were married. But the family persisted. Joe’s mother helped to care for Elisa’s mother. Although it was difficult to see Elisa’s mother and sister struggle, the family knew that they would get through it as they have gotten through everything: together. 

When Elisa was diagnosed with Huntington’s disease in 1993, she was devastated. She didn’t know what that meant for herself, her future, or the couple’s sons. But the Park family turned their pain into action. They began sharing their story as broadly as they could, reminding people that they weren’t alone. When they can, they participate in Team Hope walks, raising money for a cure. 

Most of all, they remember that the love of their life is right next to them, doing everything they can to provide a happy, loving life. 

What is Huntington’s Disease (HD)? 

Sometimes called Huntington’s chorea, Huntington’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease resulting from HDD gene mutations. Normally, HDD encodes for the production of huntingtin, a type of protein that scientists believe plays a role in neuronal health and function. In Huntington’s disease, the gene mutations cause abnormally long, toxic chains of huntingtin protein to accumulate. As these chains break and bind to neurons, they cause neuron death. Huntington’s disease typically manifests in someone’s 30s-40s, though it can happen earlier or later. The expected lifespan following symptom manifestation is typically 15-20 years. Symptoms can include:

• Changes in mood, behavior, and personality (such as mood swings, anxiety, irritability, or impulsivity) 
• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
• Poor decision-making
• Involuntary movements such as twitching, head jerking, or shoulder shrugging 
• Cognitive decline
• Forgetfulness
• Problems learning or retaining new information
• Unsteady gait
• Problems with coordination 

Right now, no cure exists for Huntington’s disease. Treatment options are symptomatic and focus on managing chorea (involuntary movements) or mood issues.