HelpCureHD Foundation

Huntingtons Disease is a hereditary brain disorder with no current known cure. Over 30,000 people are suffering from Huntingtons Disease in the United States alone. The disease causes a deterioration in nerve cells, making it difficult to complete everyday tasks- walking becomes difficult, cognition slows, and the individual becomes completely unab... le to care for themselves. The HelpCureHD Foundation was created to help those suffering from this neurological disorder as well as helping aid in the journey to finding a cure. HelpCureHD was inspired by Lee Smith, mother to Joe Smith, pitcher for the Houston Astros, who was diagnosed with Huntingtons Disease in 2012. Joe recalls his mothers journey: Prior to the official diagnosis, we saw symptoms of nervousness, coughing spasms, mind racing, and deteriorating motor skills, making it harder for her to speak and move smoothly. This was a challenging and sobering experience for my family, as we had watched my grandma experience similar symptoms caused by HD. My sister and I had watched our grandma suffer through the later stages of HD and saw her lose her ability to drive, take a shower, get dressed, and prepare meals. Eventually, she was unable to even enjoy a simple walk on a beautiful summer day. When my moms test results came back, it was hard for her to accept her new reality of living with HD. She had devoted so much of her life to caring for her mother as she struggled with the disease, and the diagnosis was a harsh blow for all of us, particularly my mother. The first few months were difficult for my mother, and she struggled to cope with the fact that she had inherited this terrible disease for which there is currently no cure. She had to confront the fact that her life would change and change fast. Our family and close friends came to comfort her, and the support from them was overwhelming. Everyone was willing to help. My mother visited numerous doctors and received many opinions and options. Finding the right combination and dosage of medications proved ...Read More