By Matthew Santamaria (msantamaria@hdsa.org)
In August of 2012, after years of working in finance, Bill Davis officially retired. He resides in Mendham, New Jersey and has raised seven children. Since he was now retired, he was looking forward to staying home more and watch his seven grandchildren grow up. However, it would not be all sunshine and rainbows for the Davis family.
For the first year or so after retiring, there was a difference in Bill. His children saw a personality change in him. “He seemed much more irritable and depressed and not like the dad we all grew up with,” said Meagan Davis, Bill’s 22 year old daughter.
This included several mood swings. His family were convinced that he needed to see a psychologist and work through depressive symptoms as this might be a result of not working. However, this was not the case. In 2014, Bill Davis was diagnosed with Huntington’s disease (HD).
This is a fatal genetic disorder that causes the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain. It deteriorates a person’s physical and mental abilities during their prime working years and has no cure. The news would come as a shock to the family as there was no prior knowledge of the disease in his family.
“It was very difficult when I found out my dad had HD,” Meagan explain. “I was in the midst of packing up my things to head off to my freshman year of college, and I will never forget the exact moment I was blindsided by this disease. I was playing Claire de Lune on the piano after dinner ended, and my parents were whispering in the kitchen before they called me into the kitchen to share my dad's diagnosis. Naturally after finding out, I spent a majority of my first few weeks at school researching HD and HDSA.”
The disease can be described as having ALS, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s – simultaneously. The symptoms of the disease progresses slowly over the course of about 15 years. The disease can affect one’s ability to reason, walk, and speak. Other symptoms include personality changes, mood swings, forgetfulness, slurred speech, difficult swallowing, and significant weight loss.
“I ultimately devoted a majority of my studies at school to HD in minoring in Disability Studies at Cornell University,” Meagan explains. “Through my studies, all of my research and all of my advocacy efforts were through the lens of HD, with a particular focus on the Social Security Administration's Disability Insurance program and its need for improvement. Every research paper and project I did at school in some way shape or form began referencing HD, and I did my best to spread awareness across Cornell's campus about this horrible disease.”
After speaking to HDSA, Meagan would learn about the HD Parity Act. This is a bipartisan bill that ensures Medicare is made available to people with Huntington’s disease (HD) immediately upon qualification for disability. Meagan has advocated alongside HDSA to have the bill passed as this would help families affected with HD.
“The Huntington’s Disease Parity Act is a vital piece of legislation for HD families because it waives the two-year waiting period for Medicare coverage for those affected by Huntington’s disease,” said Louise Vetter, President & Chief Executive Officer, Huntington’s Disease Society of America. “For a person with HD whose is facing the constant decline in cognitive, emotional and physical function, two years can mean living a going from a healthy lifestyle to being bed-ridden and needing 24/7 care.”
As for Meagan’s family, Bill’s children have all processed the news in different ways as they know this disease does not only affect them but their children as well. Each child of a parent with HD has a 50/50 chance of inheriting the faulty gene that causes Huntington’s disease.
Bill would not give up and wanted to fight for not only his future but his children and grandchildren as well. He has an entire community that supports each other and has rallied to bring more awareness to the fatal disease. Bill has continued to advocate passionately to raise awareness and is encouraging people to donate to HDSA. He believes that one day we will find a cure and has a message for the HD Community.
"Never hesitate to rely on the support around you - my wife and children have been an integral pillar of support throughout this journey,” Bill explains. “I encourage everyone in the community to stop and remember that you have people around you every step of the way loving you, being with you through the ups and downs, and fighting for a cure alongside you.”
###
Huntington’s disease is a fatal genetic disorder that causes the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain. It deteriorates a person’s physical and mental abilities during their prime working years and has no cure. Each child of a parent with HD has a 50/50 chance of inheriting the faulty gene that causes Huntington’s disease. Today, there are approximately 30,000 symptomatic Americans and more than 200,000 at-risk of inheriting the disease. The symptoms of Huntington’s disease are described as having ALS, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s – simultaneously.
The Huntington’s Disease Society of America is the premier nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of everyone affected by HD. From community services and education to advocacy and research, HDSA is the world’s leader in providing help for today and hope for tomorrow for people with HD and their families.
To learn more about Huntington’s disease and the work of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America, visit www.HDSA.org or call 1(800)345-HDSA.
This is a story featuring a personal experience with Huntington’s disease. If you would like to have your story told please contact Matthew Santamaria at msantamaria@hdsa.org
In August of 2012, after years of working in finance, Bill Davis officially retired. He resides in Mendham, New Jersey and has raised seven children. Since he was now retired, he was looking forward to staying home more and watch his seven grandchildren grow up. However, it would not be all sunshine and rainbows for the Davis family.
For the first year or so after retiring, there was a difference in Bill. His children saw a personality change in him. “He seemed much more irritable and depressed and not like the dad we all grew up with,” said Meagan Davis, Bill’s 22 year old daughter.
This included several mood swings. His family were convinced that he needed to see a psychologist and work through depressive symptoms as this might be a result of not working. However, this was not the case. In 2014, Bill Davis was diagnosed with Huntington’s disease (HD).
This is a fatal genetic disorder that causes the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain. It deteriorates a person’s physical and mental abilities during their prime working years and has no cure. The news would come as a shock to the family as there was no prior knowledge of the disease in his family.
“It was very difficult when I found out my dad had HD,” Meagan explain. “I was in the midst of packing up my things to head off to my freshman year of college, and I will never forget the exact moment I was blindsided by this disease. I was playing Claire de Lune on the piano after dinner ended, and my parents were whispering in the kitchen before they called me into the kitchen to share my dad's diagnosis. Naturally after finding out, I spent a majority of my first few weeks at school researching HD and HDSA.”
The disease can be described as having ALS, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s – simultaneously. The symptoms of the disease progresses slowly over the course of about 15 years. The disease can affect one’s ability to reason, walk, and speak. Other symptoms include personality changes, mood swings, forgetfulness, slurred speech, difficult swallowing, and significant weight loss.
“I ultimately devoted a majority of my studies at school to HD in minoring in Disability Studies at Cornell University,” Meagan explains. “Through my studies, all of my research and all of my advocacy efforts were through the lens of HD, with a particular focus on the Social Security Administration's Disability Insurance program and its need for improvement. Every research paper and project I did at school in some way shape or form began referencing HD, and I did my best to spread awareness across Cornell's campus about this horrible disease.”
After speaking to HDSA, Meagan would learn about the HD Parity Act. This is a bipartisan bill that ensures Medicare is made available to people with Huntington’s disease (HD) immediately upon qualification for disability. Meagan has advocated alongside HDSA to have the bill passed as this would help families affected with HD.
“The Huntington’s Disease Parity Act is a vital piece of legislation for HD families because it waives the two-year waiting period for Medicare coverage for those affected by Huntington’s disease,” said Louise Vetter, President & Chief Executive Officer, Huntington’s Disease Society of America. “For a person with HD whose is facing the constant decline in cognitive, emotional and physical function, two years can mean living a going from a healthy lifestyle to being bed-ridden and needing 24/7 care.”
As for Meagan’s family, Bill’s children have all processed the news in different ways as they know this disease does not only affect them but their children as well. Each child of a parent with HD has a 50/50 chance of inheriting the faulty gene that causes Huntington’s disease.
Bill would not give up and wanted to fight for not only his future but his children and grandchildren as well. He has an entire community that supports each other and has rallied to bring more awareness to the fatal disease. Bill has continued to advocate passionately to raise awareness and is encouraging people to donate to HDSA. He believes that one day we will find a cure and has a message for the HD Community.
"Never hesitate to rely on the support around you - my wife and children have been an integral pillar of support throughout this journey,” Bill explains. “I encourage everyone in the community to stop and remember that you have people around you every step of the way loving you, being with you through the ups and downs, and fighting for a cure alongside you.”
###
Huntington’s disease is a fatal genetic disorder that causes the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain. It deteriorates a person’s physical and mental abilities during their prime working years and has no cure. Each child of a parent with HD has a 50/50 chance of inheriting the faulty gene that causes Huntington’s disease. Today, there are approximately 30,000 symptomatic Americans and more than 200,000 at-risk of inheriting the disease. The symptoms of Huntington’s disease are described as having ALS, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s – simultaneously.
The Huntington’s Disease Society of America is the premier nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of everyone affected by HD. From community services and education to advocacy and research, HDSA is the world’s leader in providing help for today and hope for tomorrow for people with HD and their families.
To learn more about Huntington’s disease and the work of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America, visit www.HDSA.org or call 1(800)345-HDSA.
This is a story featuring a personal experience with Huntington’s disease. If you would like to have your story told please contact Matthew Santamaria at msantamaria@hdsa.org