As the roller coaster climbed upwards, I could feel my stomach-turning. Panic rose inside me, but despite the fear of the impending drop, I’d never felt so alive. It was May 2011, and in that moment, I knew that whatever the future held for me, I had to make sure I never stopped living my life to the fullest.
In 1999, my mum Myra, then 66, was diagnosed with Huntington’s disease (HD). A neurological condition, it stops the brain from working properly, affecting speech, movement, memory and personality.
Although I worked as a nurse, I didn’t know anything about the condition and the diagnosis came as a shock. Progressive and incurable, it was awful to see Mum fade away.
Soon after, I gave birth to my daughter Emily, in 2001, but just months later, Mum died. I was devastated, and now a mum myself, I was terrified about what it meant for my family.
Caused by a faulty gene, HD is a hereditary condition, and there was a 50 per cent chance I’d develop it, too.
‘You can take a test,’ the doctor informed me, but I wasn’t ready. Instead, I threw myself into raising my own family with my husband.
My daughter Kerry was born in 2002, followed by Gemma in 2007, and I concentrated on being the best mum that I could be.
FACING FEARS
I got in touch with Scottish Huntington’s Association (SHA), who offered counselling and advice, and their support was a lifeline.
But after my marriage broke down in 2011, something shifted. I hated the uncertainty hanging over my future, and with counselling, I felt ready to face my fear.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 05, 2021 من WOMAN'S OWN.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 05, 2021 من WOMAN'S OWN.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
MY SON DIED HELPING OTHERS
Christine Parry is determined to continue her son's heroic work in Ukraine
I'M A MIDLIFE DADDY'S GIRL
Rachel Tompkins, 44, loves having a close relationship with her father
BECKHAMS' BUST-UPS
Posh and Becks are preparing to mark 25 years of marriage, but is all well in paradise?
DO VIRAL BEAUTY HACKS REALLY WORK?
Intrigued by hair and skincare advice trending on TikTok, Julie Cook, 46, decided to put it to the test
MEXICAN ONE-DISH DINNERS
Spice up midweek meals with these thrifty favourites
BANISH BINGO WINGS
Say 'hello' to sculpted arms this summer - just give these six easy moves a try
HOMELESS TO MILLIONAIRE
With her house repossessed and deep in depression, Caroline Strawson, 50, was determined to transform her life
THIS MORNING IN CRISIS!
Are new presenters Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard set to be replaced already?
MIND OF MY OWN
The Woman's Own columnist has her say on cooked brealdfasts, divorce and cleaning
GOING SOLO
Claire Waite Brown, 52, hadn't travelled alone for over 30 years