Hi, my name is Greg Riner, I am 22 years old and was diagnosed with Juvenile Huntington’s Disease at the age of 18. My father, Tony Riner, was diagnosed with HD in 2005, when I was 10 years old. He and his sister both inherited HD from their mother. Their mother, my grandmother, passed away in 1990 which was 5 years before I was born. She was one of 6 children, 5 of which had inherited HD from their mother. I have lost many family members to HD and now face this battle myself. As you can see, HD/JHD is a generational disease. With multiple family members affected by HD the impact on the family is intense. Financial struggles, relationship struggles, medical, emotional, psychological struggles and legal or court related issues are just a few of the problems faced by families affected by this devastating disease.
When most 18 year olds are graduating and planning their future and making plans for college and life after high school, I was given the devastating news of a diagnosis of JHD. I struggled with depression initially and still do from time to time, but I have come to grips with my diagnosis and have become actively involved with HDSA, I attend board meetings for the TN chapter and have attended and spoken at many of the HD Hope Walks in Nashville and Mt. Juliet.
When most 18 year olds are graduating and planning their future and making plans for college and life after high school, I was given the devastating news of a diagnosis of JHD. I struggled with depression initially and still do from time to time, but I have come to grips with my diagnosis and have become actively involved with HDSA, I attend board meetings for the TN chapter and have attended and spoken at many of the HD Hope Walks in Nashville and Mt. Juliet.