When I was at university in 1978 a friend told me his family suffered from Huntington's disease. I had not heard of it before. At a time when all of us were wondering about the rest of our lives he had already decided that he would never have children. He didn't know if he would get it. He was going to have to wait for at least 20 years to find out. He was an  accomplished and lovely chap and it really upset me, for him, that he , in his young life, had already had to make this decision with all its ramifications and live with such uncertainty. Would he find a partner who could accept this? Could he adopt if he was going to become severely incapacitated himself.?

I have seen him once in the 30 odd years since then and he was well and in a happy relationship . There was a 50% chance still of him contracting the disease. What uncertainty he has had to live with. I desperately hope that research can find a cure for this genetic disorder . With every stroke I make in the swimming pool this year I am going to wish for this.

The association ran a fundraising swimming event in 2000 of 2000 lengths in theyear 2000 but I started too late for my swimming skills. So this year I will do it. I hope to get fitter too

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