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I wish my mother's sister didn't have HD, but she does and is being cared for by my cousin, so my wish for her is peace, patience and hope as she tends to her mother with love as we did my mother until her death.

I wish my sister and brother weren't at risk and I pray they will not develop the disease.

I wish that none of my cousins, nieces or nephews find out they have HD.

I wish no one had to watch their loved one succumb to HD.

I wish there was more help for all the people out there falling through the cracks while dealing with HD.

But my biggest wish is that there be a cure for HD in the very near future.

Jeanne Wilson

From the shores of the Chesapeake Bay

Churchton, Maryland, USA

This Wishbook has three aims:

To let the scientists who are working toward a cure or treatment for Huntington's Disease know that we appreciate their work and that we wish them Godspeed in their great endeavour.

To let each other know that we are not alone and that we are members of a worldwide family touched by Huntington's Disease.

That our common wish, our shared hope, our private prayers and our collective vision, expressed together at the same time, may inspire, energize, encourage, lift and strengthen the resolve of our scientists to cure those we love who have Huntington's Disease... in 2006.

Here's how it works:

Family, friends, and others send your wish for a cure for HD in 2006. We'll put them on this page. To send your wish click here. If this link doesn't work on your computer, mail your wish to jjpollard@comcast.net.

Tell your family, friends and others about the 2006 Cure HD Wishbook and have them send their wishes too. Tell them that this site is www.CureHD.com.

Scientists and allied researchers, please read through this collection of our wishes for you and your work. We care deeply about your work and your conribution toward healing those that we love with HD.

Scientists, you may want to leave a comment for those of us who send you our wishes. If you do, please click here.

My wife has had HD for 12 years and I have two children ages 35 and 33. My son just informed me that he has been showing some symptoms for the past two years and seeing a neurologist every 6 month for the past two years. He is having the blood test done January 10, but that is just a formality at this point. He is extremely intelligent but he can no longer function in his job and will go on disability as of Jan 1. He has two beautiful children ages 3 and 1 and I hope they never have to deal with this terrible disease. My son is going through a divorce and I can’t help but think that this “ugly beast” was a major contributing factor.

I took early retirement last year to care for my wife and now it appears that I will be caring for my son in the not too distant future.

I hope and pray the researchers find a cure or at least a way to slow the progression of this disease soon.

Fred

Rhode Island, USA

My wish for the new year is simply the one I make each year. We need a "Cure for HD " and soon.

I worry who will be here to care for my family if my life ends.I am 72 years old.

My career in life has been to care for my husband till he passed, then to care for our daughter till she entered a nursing home. And she has now passed away.

Today I care for my son who is living with me. Another daughter is in early stages along with a grandaughter. Who will care for them as they progress if I am not here? What other family members carry the gene? We don't know at this time.

Please find us a cure; we need it now! Time is running out for me.

Ruth Hargrave

Knotts Island

North Carolina, USA

I wish for a cure so that Mitch will be able to fulfill his one dream of being bull rider. I wish that other families dealing with young children who are at risk or have JHD live each day to the fullest and never forget the simple things, like saying "I love you" or a kiss at bedtime. I wish the medication keeps working and Mitch’s disease does not progress.

I wish everyone dealing with HD gets one day to have peace of mind and be happy.

Bonnie

Wisconsin, USA

An old friend shares this vision, his wish...

My wish is the same as it has always been:

It's fifty years from now. Two ninety-year-old men are sitting in a bar on the beach in Jacksonville. (That's a global warming joke.)

"Bob, that's the second time this week I saw you stumble. Are you OK?"

"I think so, but I'm afraid it might be the Huntington's."

"Huntington's?"

"Yeah, it's one of those bad genes. Nasty one, too. Killed my mother. I don't know if you remember - it's been a long time - but Huntington's was actually the first thing they controlled with RNA interference."

"Vaguely."

"Nobody even thinks about it anymore. Anyway, I guess there's nothing they can do for you that lasts forever. The meaning of life being that it stops and all."

"I know what you mean. Truth is, my CD4 count hasn't been coming up as much these last couple of times."

When you wish upon that star

the eve of this New Year

please take a few precious seconds

to remember the brave fight of our

HD Angels from new years past

and the endless light of HOPE

shining in the hearts of all our

HD families.

Then, at the stroke of midnight

when 2006 becomes brand new,

join all of us in wishing that THIS

year WILL come the CURE!!

With love/in memory

Jean & Kelly Miller

Clearwater, Florida

USA

I wish that all these wonderful people dealing with this horrible disease, will have the opportunity to make all their dreams come true.

I wish that my two young , beautiful, amazing daughters will have the chance to be all that they were meant to be.

I hope so desperately that we wont have to say goodbye to anymore of our loved ones, and that we can finally say that HD is a thing of the past.

I am so grateful this time of year for all the love and support that I recieve from this community. Hang in there and keep wishing.

Alyson Krivanek

Alyson's daughters Carissa, 15, JHD; Judy, 14, JHD; Kimmy, 12, not at risk; and Vada, 8, not at risk.

I wish that I had a smile on my face, not a tear in my eye when I type this.

I wish for the sun to shine on Michael's life for another year,at least.

I wish that Jean Miller's memories of her daughter Kelly will never fade.

I wish that Annie was well and that Kelly never shows any symptoms.

I wish that Wee Bobbys peg-site would clear up and he was pain-free.

I wish Steve Ireland and Marsha Miller 'All the best!' for keeping the HD Lighthouse shining since the death of Jerry.

I wish Eric Waycott's team could win the Superbowl.

I wish I could taste Maggie's home cooking.

I wish there were more jelly beans, they are finished.

I wish that Jim Pollard continues to give great talks and keeps 'fighting the fight.'

I wish I didn't talk so much.

I wish that I could thank everyone that has helped us on our journey through this damning disease.

I wish that all the parents of kids with JHD didn't have to go through this shit.

I wish Glasgow Rangers could win the Champions League (A bit far fetched).

I wish that I could turn back time 5 years so that I could play football with my son one more time.

I wish all the people in the world that are in any way connected to HD 'A Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year'

I wish more than anything, next year when I click on this link, that it is re-named www.CuredHD.com.

Gordon-Scotland

I've sent a letter my youngest daughter (with Juvenile HD) wrote last year to GOD. Since this time we have added Karli's 13-year-old sister to her list of wishes for a cure, as

she also recently tested gene posative.

Karli shared with me last eve that her wish is:

"I wish that my doctors will find a cure for HD for

everyone. I wish I could play outside on the slide and swings with my friends without falling. I wish that my doctors could

help Daddy to not be so angry. I don't want to die yet and I don't want my Daddy to die or Jjacey or anyone. I wish no kids or Dads had to be sick anymore from HD. I don't like HD its no fun cuz I cant play like my friends at recess. I want to go to the party to celebrate the cure for HD and dance. It will be lots of

fun!"

MOMS wish is: I wish that everyone fighting this disease finds love understanding and care that they need for the most quality filled life and quality of care.

I wish that we caregivers might find it a year of less need for advocating for care and more time to build memories and just enjoy the moments.

I wish that our community of support continues to grow. I hope that HD will gain even more attention to help support our doctors continue to make great strides in research and care alike.

I wish for JHD to continue to gain the recognition it has as it offers up hope to our families and we need the time and

help.

I'd love nothing more than to grow old while watching my children grow with my husband by my side. However, if this isn't possible I wish that all our suffering won't be in vain and that people embrace our families rather than fear this disease.

I wish for all the families I've gotten to know and those I have yet to meet, strength, peace, love, and a year to celebrate. I wish everyone a year of compassion and answers to their needs. Also that no more families have to say goodbye to a child, parent, brother or a sister...AND I WISH US ALL TO MEET FOR THE CELEBRATION OF A LIFETIME... THE CURE!

Jane and Karli (9)

Michigan USA

I wish that all the scientists involved in finding a cure for HD will have God's hands guiding them. We so need a cure for this horrendous disease!

I wish I could ride horses in the piney woods of east Texas with my brother again. I wish for him to be able to smile and laugh again. I so miss this part of him!

I wish my mother did not have to see her only son suffer so horribly. These are years she could have enjoyed relaxing and doing things she wanted to do. She is 84 and goes every night for three hours to the nursing home to fix his dinner and help him eat. She has gone every night for the past 3 years. I wish she will never have to bury her son. That will be my job.

I wish every city in the world would have an HD center of excellence and no one would ever be turned away because of inability to pay. I wish for more publicity about HD. This is as badly needed as a cure.

Finally, I wish for all my HD family and their loved ones peace of mind making decisions that are so difficult. May God bless each and everyone and give us all the strenghth to fight the fight in the coming new year. Much love to all. You are constantly in my thoughts and prayers.

Kathy Waggoner

Texas, USA

My first wish is that when HD family members call our (HDSA-New England) office looking for help, I could say: "Oh, just take the new medication they discovered that stops all symptoms and has no side effects."

My second wish is that my first wish comes true very soon.

My third wish is that more of my taxes went to the National Institute of Health rather than defense.

Virginia Goolkasian

New England HDSA Office

I wish that the doctors, researchers, and scientist have all the means necessary to continue to make breakthroughs in treatment

and eventually find a cure.

I wish my mother won’t have to outlive her son.

I wish my brother can watch his daughter grow up healthy and strong.

I wish my niece can be part of the last generation dealing with this horrible disease.

I wish for the day where there is no such thing as Huntington’s Disease.

I wish for everyone touched by HD realizes it can take a lot, but it can NOT take, HOPE, LOVE, or the MEMORIES we have shared.

Jason Mundy

Jacksonville, Florida, USA

I am 20 years old and just tested positive for HD, but I am presymptomatic...I actually have a wish and a resolution.

My resolution is that, with knowing that I tested positive, I will never take for granted the time that I have free of the disease. I want to live my life to the fullest, do all the things I've dreamed of doing. I want to start now fighting against the disease before I get the symptoms, doing whatever I need to do to make my life better and always remembering that I am so lucky for the time I have right now.

My wish is that doors of opportunity will open for me to become someone involved in finding a cure for HD, whether it's joining research programs or doing something else that would be beneficial and would help find a cure or at least some relief for those suffering or who will develop the disease.

My wish is that through me, someone suffering will gain strength and hope. My wish is that the strength that EACH person dealing with HD (the caregivers, those with HD and those who will develop HD) has will build up and give strength to those who feel like they have no strength left, whether they are suffering from HD or some other disease or problem in their life, and that that strength will cause even more effort and awareness towards finding a cure for HD.

Lauren

Connecticut, USA

Norbert is my name. I am the caregiver and husband of Margaret. We've resided in our home in Largo, Florida since 1962. She is 76 years young; and I am 80. She was diagnosed with HD in the fall of 1995. She was mobile for a year after. Since, although a total invalid with a feeding tube and unable to speak for 5 years, it is my faith in God and His abundant blessings that sustains me to do the task assigned.

Although HD will attain its goal of total destruction on the person, it has attained something good. I feel it has brought a marriage bond between us much closer and deeper than would have existed without it. We are closing in on 49 years of happiness.

Norbert Quebbeman

Florida, USA

My wish for the scientists is for their health and for their wisdom and perseverance (as well as funding) in pursuing a cure. On a more personal level, I wish for the legal system to become more aware of mental issues in people with HD and other brain-related diseases. Personally, I pray that we get a commutation of our son's sentence during 2006 and can get him back to home and into an assisted living house.

Pat Pillis

Saranac Lake

New York, USA

My Wishes are:

I wish there was a cure!

I wish I was normal!

I wish that this heart breaking disease didn't exist.

I wish I could do everything my friends can!

I wish I could fufill my dreams

I wish that my family and friends didn't have to

experience this horrible disease.

And I wish that my real dad didn't have this disease.

I wish that no one in the world had HD!

This disease is so cruel it eats through you and you

waste away!

And it tears through you and your family and friends!

And my last wish is I wish I don't have to die with JHD!

Laura Gibb

Corby, England

Hello and season's greetings! I am a caregiver to my husband..He is 54 years old. I think it's too late for him. But for future HD families I only hope that there is a cure, so this disease could stop before it endures your life. It is a demon that you do not have any control over. You live it; you breathe it. And its very devastating....to you and the person with Huntington's Disease (Phd). It sure challenges you every day of your life. The day there is a cure I will only be happy for the entire HD Society.

Carlene Miller

I have always had a hard time with wishes because I feel they have to be attainable and the cynic in me doesn't allow me to go beyond what I believe can happen. So my wishes for the year 2006 are this:

I wish that we all might find some joy in each day. I wish for those with children and spouses, brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, who have become someone else, someone cranky or distant, angry or confused, annoying or threatening, silent or sleeping, to have a moment or more of spark from the past where our loved one returns to that person he was and gives us the treasure of a new memory to add to our collection of keepsakes.

I wish all caregivers who are going through this alone to have moments of peace and relief. I wish needless guilt disappears and the knowledge that we do our best will be our true belief.

I wish those of us with children can revel in the joy that these precious children were given to us to love and care for and that we are able to maintain our strength and fortitude to make their lives and ours joyous.

I wish peace to those who have lost their loved ones and memories that can replace some of the sorrow.

I wish each of us more understanding from those who deal with us

and our loved ones.

I wish for those who are living with this disease many good days and friends and family who care and comfort and understand.

I wish for Andrea Syke's family peace and memories of great love and pride in their daughter and sister and a peaceful passing for her.

My most selfish wish is that my son is able to have a relationship with a

We who are living on a planet visited by God who came down to suffer as a human in the form of Jesus, we celebrate the birth of Christ who is the Prince of peace.and also our great counselor. I will say this unashamed to those who are Jews or Muslim or Buddhists or Hindus. They too can celebrate their Hannukah or wintersolstice or honor their own roots in whatever way they want to.

In our Christmas stockings, may we receive the Peace we all hunger and yearn for and may we be able to use our energy and money to find a Cure for HD as well as a cure for the many other problems faced by this planet. May all those who are suffering from HD and who take care of HD patients be able to overcome their difficulties and enjoy much happiness and little pain.

In Peace and Health

Gudrun

New York State, USA

When I had children it was a scientific leap of faith. I prayed that my children would be able to have some form of genetic test when planning a family, so they could eliminate HD for their children. My prayer has been answered already, and I feel it is greedy to ask for more.

However, I wish that we have sympathy, empathy and wisdom to go along with our knowedge. I also wish that genetic advances be contained to personal knowledge and that insurance companies and employers not be allowed to use our records against us.

I also pray that my rights to not live dwindling in a nursing home, but to have legal choices before me, and the wisdom to do that right too.

Dusty Candlish

Guelph, Ontario

CANADA

My family has faced the long hard road of HD since 1988 when my Dad was formally diagnosed.

Since that time my second oldest brother died along with my Dad. My oldest brother Ronnie is living with HD. I first had the pleasure to meet Jim in the late 90's, when my brother Raymond was living in a facility in Lowell, Mass. Over these years I have had various contact for help or advise.

My hope for the holidays and for all concerned is that this is the last generation to live as Phds, or at-risk. HD has been a part of my adolescent life and now my adult life. Although it does not define who I am, we all share that one common thread: The cure and to support each other. Best of Holidays to all this joyous season.

Anthony Leotta

Long Island

New York State, USA

I wish my Mom had never heard the word "Cancer."

I wish I did not have a sister and two nephews at-risk.

I wish my HD friends at The Lighthouse and beyond, were not struggling.

I wish the cure comes in time for Michael and Bobby, and all children living with Juvenile HD.

I wish that most of my family was still alive. I especially miss my Grama.

I wish hungry people worldwide had enough food to eat.

I wish there was no such thing as child, spousal, elder and animal abuse.

I wish people were kinder to each other.

I wish there was no such thing as Huntington's...

Kelly B

CANADA

{Note to friends I have not yet met: I'm in the early stages of HD.}