Sunday, August 2, 2020

20 Year Old in a Nursing Home- Huntington's Disease_ Neuro Note #3

Butz, D. (2018, March 29). From high school to nursing home: 20-year-old learns to cope with fatal disease. Sioux City Journal. https://siouxcityjournal.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/from-high-school-to-nursing-home--year-old-learns/article_06dd5b66-dd55-52ee-864d-c54b7be8d324.html

Huntington's disease is something that isn't new to Desiree's family. This disease has taken her mother's and grandmother's life. At the age of 18 Desiree started to experience pains and weakness in her limbs. In 2016 she was moved to a skilled nursing facility when daily activities became an everyday struggle for her. She spent some of her time playing PlayStation to help maintain hand and finger movement. Desiree had a wonderful staff on her side that did whatever they could to give her a childhood she never had by taking her on trips around the city. The staff and townspeople held fundraisers in her honor, so that Desiree could complete her number one bucket list item. Although the number one dream couldn't be achieved, they were able to schedule and raise money to let Desiree go to Disney. Desiree was able to go see the beach for the first time and was able to ride the rides while also seeing the Disney princesses. 

I picked this article because I don't know much about Huntington's Disease so I was hoping this would tell me more about this disease itself. Also I am 24 years old so the title and the thought of being a 20 year old in a nursing facility caught my eye. Although I did not learn much about Huntington's Disease itself this is a story that I will forget about anytime soon. The take away will be to appreciate the little things in life to enjoy the small things. I'm sure it was a hard experience for the staff having to take care of someone who's time will be cut short and definitely hard for her family having to watch this disease take another loved one from them. Do what you can to make to those you care for happy.

Huntington's disease Desiree Buettner

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