My Mum by Gemma and Kelly

Ten years ago, after several years of our suspecting something, our Mum was diagnosed with Huntington’s Disease, often called HD, which is a hereditary disorder of the central nervous system. The disorder is caused by a faulty gene which leads to irreversible damage to nerve cells within the brain. This in turn leads to gradual physical, mental and emotional changes. These affect movement, cognition (perception,
awareness, thinking and judgement) and there is no cure available at the
present time. The progress of the disease is unstoppable although drugs are in use to try to ease the most aggressive symptoms.

Mum is now at an advanced stage where she requires 24 hour care but, thankfully, still at home. She is fed through a tube in her stomach (a peg) requiring an operation more than three years ago. She is unable to swallow solid foods, can no longer walk unaided even for short distances. Her ability to speak has been gradually taken from her and is now practically non-existent.

Of course, as the disease is  hereditary, many members of the family have also been affected, some worse than others. Sadly, as is the case with something like this, many more future generations of our family will fall prey to this disease until someone can find the means to slow it down or stamp it out completely.

So my beautiful TQ Tigers and I are taking part in this year’s Colour Run in the hope that we may raise funds to donate to the Huntington’s Disease Association to put towards their research department which is determined to one day find a cure for this most cruel of diseases.

Thank You for your time,

Love Gemma & Kelly xx

Info on this disease
........ http://hda.org.uk/hda/factsheets