Dear SOE, My name is Spring . I am 32 years old. I'm a disabled veteran from the Navy. Most of my 32 years I have faced many challenges. I have been physically, sexually, mentally, and financially abused. On top of my history I was diagnosed with Huntington Disease on Dec 3rd 2002. I feel like I'm on the verge of the gene becoming active. What is Huntington's Disease (HD)? Huntington's Disease: a devastating, hereditary, degenerative brain disorder for which there is, at present, no cure and only one FDA-approved treatment (Xenazine) for a symptom of HD.. HD slowly diminishes the affected individual's ability to walk, talk and reason. Eventually, the person with HD becomes totally dependent upon others for his or her care. Huntington's Disease profoundly affects the lives of entire families -- emotionally, socially and economically. Named for Dr. George Huntington, who first described this hereditary disorder in 1872, HD is now recognized as one of the more common genetic disorders. More than a quarter of a million Americans have HD or are "at risk" of inheriting the disease from an affected parent. HD affects as many people as Hemophilia, Cystic Fibrosis or muscular dystrophy. Early symptoms of Huntington's Disease may affect cognitive ability or mobility and include depression, mood swings, forgetfulness, clumsiness, involuntary twitching and lack of coordination. As the disease progresses, concentration and short-term memory diminish and involuntary movements of the head, trunk and limbs increase. Walking, speaking and swallowing abilities deteriorate. Eventually the person is unable to care for him or herself. Death follows from complications such as choking, infection or heart failure. HD typically begins in mid-life, between the ages of 30 and 50, though onset may occur as early as the age of 2. Children who develop the juvenile form of the disease rarely live to adulthood. HD affects males and females equally and crosses all ethnic and racial boundaries. Each child of a person with HD has a 50/50 chance of inheriting the fatal gene. Everyone who carries the gene will develop the disease. In 1993, the HD gene was isolated and a direct genetic test developed which can accurately determine whether a person carries the HD gene. The test cannot predict when symptoms will begin. However, in the absence of a cure, some individuals "at risk" elect not to take the test. Since the discovery of the gene that causes HD, scientific research has accelerated and much has been added to our understanding of Huntington's Disease and its effects upon different individuals. By continuing to increase investment in both clinical and basic HD research each year, breakthroughs in treatment - and a cure can be forthcoming. What are HD symptoms? Symptoms usually evolve slowly vary from person to person, even within the same family. Some individuals may be affected first cognitively (depression, forgetfulness, impaired judgment). Others suffer with motor skill impairment (dystonia or involuntary movements, unsteady gait). Eventually, every person afflicted by HD requires full-time care. Domains affected include: cognitive, motor and behavioral. Members of the same family may exhibit different symptoms. Some can show mild involuntary movements (chorea) and have more emotional/behavioral symptoms of HD or can have less emotional/behavioral symptoms with more difficulty with involuntary movements. Some HD Symptoms: Behavioral/emotional Irritability Depression Anxiety Aggressive outbursts Mood swings Social withdrawal Motor Fidgety behavior Uncoordination Involuntary movements (chorea, dystonia) Difficulties with speech, swallowing, balance, walking Cognitive Problems with short-term memory, organizing, coping, concentrating I was diagnosed with major depression and social anxiety through veteran affairs. These two diagnoses makes life challenging. Anxiety hinders me extremely because its so hard to communicate with others. I feel so nervous around everyone its hard to make friends. I wanted you to know about myself. I wanted you to know how deeply grateful I am for the stability you have played in my life. You are the place I can go to escape my challenges. I have been playing EverQuest (1 & 2) since the very beginning. By playing EverQuest it keeps my mind active. By keeping my mind active I'm hoping to prolong the effects of Huntington Disease. Until EverQuest 2 ends or I can no longer play. I will always be with you. Nautte Oasis Server Pasted from <http://www.hdsa.org/about/our-missi...what-is-hd.html>
