In 2008 my dad was diagnosed with having Huntington’s disease, for those of you who have never heard of this, it is a hereditary disorder of the central nervous system. Huntington's disease usually develops in adulthood and can cause a very wide range of symptoms, and the disease affects both men and women. Huntington's disease is caused by a faulty gene on chromosome 4. The gene, which produces a protein called Huntingtin, was discovered in 1993. In some way - which is not yet understood - the faulty gene leads to a damage of the nerve cells in areas of the brain, including the basal ganglia and cerebral cortex. This leads to gradual physical, mental and emotional changes. Each person whose parent has Huntington's disease is born with a 50-50 chance of inheriting the faulty gene. Anyone who inherits the faulty gene will, at some stage, develop the disease. I was tested in 2000 and was found not to have the faulty gene, which is why I am trying to raise awareness and assist with the research and development of this terrible disease

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