While doing some studying tonight, I ran across a couple videos about Huntington’s Disease.  I’ll leave it to Wikipedia and the videos to explain more for those who don’t know what this is.  I encourage you to watch them.  It was a reminder to me to not gripe and complain when I think things unfairly affect me.  Huntington’s is a genetic disease that does not manifest itself until people are around 40 (so they usually reproduce before they know they have the disease).  Obviously this is not something anyone asks for, and there is currently no cure or even effective management of the disease.  People decline rather quickly with physical, cognitive and psychological effects.  This causes not only extreme distress for those affected, but for everyone involved in their life.  

A couple of points the videos don’t discuss very much:

-There is a genetic test available for the disease.  However, this is very difficult decision to make since there is no cure and employers and insurance companies might use this information against people.

-Afflicted individuals often forget loved ones and even become hostile towards them, making it even more difficult for loved ones to help.

-If someone finds out they will develop the disease, at what point should they tell someone they are dating this information?  Should they even get married knowing their spouse will have to watch them go through this?  Should they have children, knowing there is a high likelihood the children will also have the disease?

The first video shows more of the human emotion to the disease, the second is a clip from a CBS special.  

May we each take some time this week to recognize the humanity in people regardless of how they act or treat us.  May we step out side of our own woes and gripes about life to help others around us with theirs.  May we understand that “fairness” is not a quality of this fallen world and that Justice is God’s to handle in a way which all too often exceeds our comprehension.  And finally, let’s hope Deanna posts soon so you’ll have a break from my serious and controversial posts.  :)