HOPES For Kids (Non-Flash, Part 3)
"Bryan's Dad Has Huntington's Disease"

An Illustrated Introduction to HD, For Kids & Families

Scenes 5-8

Soon, Bryan returned to school. One day when his dad came to take Bryan home, Bryan’s friend Lisa said, “Your dad walks funny!” This comment made Bryan sad and angry because nobody had ever said anything bad about his dad before. Bryan was not just upset at Lisa, but also at his dad for becoming so different.

On the way home, Bryan’s dad noticed that his son was upset. He asked Bryan what was wrong and Bryan replied, “What’s going on with you, Dad? You don’t play sports as well as you used to, you walk really weird, and you haven’t been very nice to Mom lately. Why are you being like this?”

Bryan’s dad had noticed these changes in himself, too, and he told Bryan that he did not know why he was acting this way. “Actually,” he said, “your mom and I are going to see the doctor today to find out what’s going on. You are welcome to come along if you want.” Bryan never liked going to the doctor’s office, but he decided to go with his parents this time because he really wanted to know why his dad was acting so strangely.

When they got to the doctor’s office, the doctor asked, “So what seems to be the problem?”
          Before his dad could speak, Bryan’s mother said to the doctor, “Well, my husband has been acting strangely the past few months. His body seems to shake when he walks and he has also been kind of grouchy.”
          Bryan added, “We used to play sports together all the time, but lately he hasn’t been throwing as well as he used to and he even stopped playing with me and my friends.” Bryan’s dad looked sad when he heard his family say these things, but he knew there was truth in what they said.

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Last Modified: 10-24-04

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