By Brendan Rees
A Clyde North man who lost his wife and son to Huntington’s disease is determined in his fight to find a cure.
The rare genetic condition that affects the brain, and worsens over time, has meant Maurice Browne’s family has been diagnosed with the disease.
This gene is passed on from parent to child, but the condition isn’t obvious at birth. The symptoms usually, but not always, first appear when the person is approaching middle age.
Unfortunately there is no cure or effective treatment for this disease and therefore Huntington’s disease remains fatal.
Maurice, who lives at Selandra Rise Retirement Village, says his daughter Sharon, 50, was diagnosed with Huntington’s disease four years ago and requires help with household jobs such as cleaning dishes.
“She can (clean around the house) but it’s best not to, accidents might happen,” Maurice says.
His wife Mary was diagnosed with Huntington’s diseasein her early forties and lost her battle 11 years ago. His oldest son also died from the disease, age 49.
Today, Maurice’s grandsons Mitchell, 27, and Philip, 30, have been diagnosed with the disease.
“Mitchell’s already got the symptoms; it came on early, we don’t know why. He’s already receiving the disability pension already,” Maurice explained.
“It’s supposed to follow family history but sometimes it doesn’t because it’s so random.”
Symptoms include changes to a person’s thinking, feeling, and lack of coordination, speech and swallowing difficulties.
Being a genetic disease, each child of a parent with Huntington’s disease has a 50 per cent chance of inheriting the defective Huntingtin gene.
Maurice says he’s trying to stay positive and is raising money through a fundraiser to be held at Selandra Rise Retirement Village on Wednesday 22 May from 2pm-5pm.
There will be raffles and auctioneering of gifts that have been generously donated by local businesses.
All welcome to attend – gold coin donation on entry. Bookings essential on: 59915500
Donations also accepted. Please call Maurice on 5991 5526.
All money raised will go towards Huntington’s Victoria.
