Most people who have Huntington’s disease or may carry the gene for the degenerative brain disease aren’t very open about it.
Even admitting having a family member with the illness can make it
difficult, or impossible, to secure health and life insurance, said
Jill Nagy-Reynolds, a spokeswoman for the Huntington’s Disease Society
of America.
But Elyse Jones and Derek Downing are breaking the silence about the
disease that contributed to the death of their father, Thomas Allen
Downing, by organizing the Dayton area’s first charity walk to raise
awareness and money to fund research to find a cure.
"For me, the most important thing is recognition," said Derek Downing of Xenia. "Awareness is the bottom line."
The walk is set for 9:30 a.m.
Oct. 27 at Library Park in Miamisburg.
Finding a cure is another strong motivator for organizing the
charity walk. Jones and Downing don’t know if they, or their children,
carry the gene for the disease. They considered finding out, but
decided against it.
"Do you live knowing and hoping to God for a cure?" said Jones, who lives in Bellbrook.
The disease is genetic and has a 50 percent chance of being passed
from parents to children. It strikes between ages 30 and 50, and
symptoms progress differently in each person. More than 30,000
Americans have the disease.
Their father didn’t want to know either, even after his mother,
Elizabeth Downing, died of the disease a decade ago. Thomas Allen
Downing died in February after being diagnosed with Huntington’s the
year before. He was 58.
"He was the smartest man I knew, and near the end it got to where he couldn’t walk, talk or eat," Jones said.
She and her brother plan to hold some type of charity event every year in his honor.
Contact the reporter at (937) 225-2342 or
cmagan@DaytonDailyNews.com
How to go
What: Thomas Allen Downing Memorial Walk
When: 9:30 a.m. Oct. 27
Where: Library Park, Miamisburg
Cost: Registration is $25.
More information: firstgiving.com/hdsa-coh
This article originally appeared in the Dayton Daily News on September 27, 2007. It can be viewed online at http://www.daytondailynews.com/search/content/oh/story/news/local/neighbors/2007/09/27/ddn092707z4huntingtonwalk.html.
Smooth Transitions: School to Work
One of the most major transitions in any person’s life is that from school to work. In high school or college, many people lead a protected life and are still helped financially and otherwise by their parents. After school, these ties are often cut, leaving the recent graduate to fend for his- or herself. This transition is scary for anyone, but even more so for an individual with autism. Because school is a time to learn to live with peers in a controlled environment, the work force is a difficult concept for autistic people because one must often deal with new situations daily rather than have the comfort of a set living situation.
One of the main things autistic graduates need to learn is how to deal with people in a business world. This includes proper grooming, something that may not have been such a big deal in high school or college. Proper grooming, such as brushing your teeth, wearing appropriate clothing, using deodorant, and combing your hair probably comes natural for most people, but an autistic person needs help with these tasks-he or she may not realize that they are being inappropriate. By this stage in life, many autistic individuals who have gone through schooling are at a maturity level where they can do the task assigned with no problem and avoid outbursts in most situations. In fact, it has been shown that some autistic individuals are highly skilled at tasks involving things such as math or music. Learning a new job in the work force is not the problem-relating to others in a social situation is.
These relationship problems also, unfortunately, help people take advantage of autistic individuals. Most people who suffer from autism believe that all people are like themselves, and inherently good. In business, it is sadly very common to come across companies and business people who do not practice ethically. This often shocks autistic individuals, who may have no idea how to handle this sort of situation. Others in the work force may also not be skilled to deal with autism, leading to bad relationships among employees. By hiring an autistic individual, employers must not only teach them their new job, but also provide direction for others who have to work with him or her. Intolerance in the work force is common, and autistic individuals need to be prepared for this. http://www.alison14.livethroughtheson.com Overall, it is important for people with autism to realize that there will be a major change between life in high school or college and life in the work force. It is probably very beneficial for these individuals to seek help in the transition from therapists, family members, or mentors. Going from school to work is difficult, but with a little motivation and hard work anyone, autistic or not, can succeed.
Silver jewelry is not only beautiful; it is very much in style these days. Silver jewelry compliments anything you wear, and it is usually less expensive than gold jewelry. There are many sources from which you can buy silver jewelry wholesale, but the Internet will offer you the biggest selection possible. After all – you will have the whole world at your feet – or fingertips.
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As with any other jewelry, begin your search online. There are countless jewelry wholesalers online, and many of them specialize in silver jewelry. When you buy your jewelry from jewelry wholesale sources, you will pay a fraction of the cost that you would pay at a retailer’s place of business, such as a jewelry store.
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When you purchase silver jewelry wholesale, make sure that you are purchasing sterling silver jewelry. Sterling silver is almost always marked with the numbers ‘925.’ This is the highest quality of silver that you can buy – wholesale or retail. Note that there is no such thing as ‘high quality sterling silver’ and ‘lower quality sterling silver.’ Sterling silver comes in one quality – sterling silver. The weight of the sterling silver used in the piece should be the determining factor in the cost, unless the item was hand-made, in which case it will cost considerably more than similar pieces that were not hand made.
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Silver jewelry tarnishes – whether it is sterling silver or not. You must clean and polish your silver jewelry on a regular basis to help it keep its shine. There are many different brands of silver polish on the market that can be used to accomplish this. You should plan to clean your silver jewelry on a weekly basis.
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Buying silver jewelry wholesale is the best way to go. Silver is already relatively inexpensive – even at wholesale prices. When purchasing such jewelry, the silver or quality of the silver is not what you need to concern yourself with – again, silver is silver, just make sure it is sterling silver. The settings and stones that are used in the piece should be your concern.
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You need to insure that the piece is solidly constructed, and you need to make sure that the gems used are not simulated gems – unless that is what you want. Of course, when real gems are used, such as diamonds, the cost of the jewelry will rise considerably. But as long as you are buying jewelry wholesale, the price will still be the lowest price you will find.
Sterling Silver is such a versatile metal, with it’s high polishing capabilities. Great durable and quality jewelry.