TMC PULSE

t m c » p u l s e | d e c 2 0 1 9/JA N 2 02 0 9 t m c » p u l s e | d e c 2 0 1 9/JA N 2 02 0 12 Furr-Stimming is optimistic that the trial will give the nearly 200,000 people in the United States who are at risk of Huntington's a reason to get tested. "Because we currently have no curative therapy, there is really no right or wrong answer when it comes to getting tested," she said. "If and when we have an effective disease-modifying therapy … it will make more sense to get tested early because we will have an effective intervention." Because researchers have identified the gene that causes Huntington's, a simple blood test can determine whether or not a person has it. Reynolds has some advice for people at risk who have not yet been tested. "It's a 50/50 chance, so I would go ahead and get tested because there is a 50 percent chance that there is really good stuff ahead in your life and a 50 percent chance that it is really bad and you've got to face the bad now," he said. Before Furr-Stimming provides testing for individuals who think they have Huntington's, the patients must meet and consult with her mul- tidisciplinary team at UTHealth. "Because of the high risk of suicide in patients with HD [Huntington's], we really want to make sure our patients or individu- als who want to get predictive and confirmatory testing are well educated and protected," she said. "Once they have that information, they will always have that information." Before blood is drawn for the test, Furr-Stimming said, each individual will meet with a genetic counselor, a social worker and a psychiatrist. Individuals must return in person to get the results and meet again with the team. Leslie Dunnington, the genetic counselor on Furr-Stimming's team, said most people become interested in predictive testing as they approach major life milestones, such as getting married or planning a family. "A lot of people who contact me have some sort of a suspicion that they have HD, but we can't know until we do the genetic testing," Dunnington said. "The most import- ant thing that I do as a genetic counselor is make sure people are as prepared as possible to receive that test result one way or another. A lot of my work is on the front end to make sure we are doing the right thing for the patient at the right time in their life." Furr-Stimming was inspired to work with neurological disorders by her uncle, who had Parkinson's disease. "As a care provider, it is heart- breaking to know what our patients will likely experience and to navi- gate the waters with their families, children and grandchildren that are at risk," she said. "I think it is an honor to work with these patients and their families. It is such a tough journey, but our goal is to walk along that journey with our patients and their families to support and educate them, to make them feel empowered and less afraid of what they are going to encounter." Outside of the trial, Reynolds spends his time volunteering at Bread of Life, a nonprofit that aims to end homelessness, and the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Houston. He enjoys walking and watching sports and movies. He recently took a DNA test to learn more about his family ancestry and found it was similar to the heritage depicted in his favorite movie, "Braveheart." It is Reynolds' warrior mentality that has kept him going. "I have a lot of Irish, Scottish, English and German, so … many of my ancestors have fought in wars and are Scottish royalty," Reynolds said. "Any disease or challenge in your life, you have to face and conquer." Looking for a change? Let experience guide you with your next move. Cheryl Cooper, selling real estate for over 20 years in Houston's close in neighborhoods. 4510 Birch (NoN MLS) Bellaire | lP: $1,125,000 12307 QueeNSBury MeMorial | lP: $680,000 CHERYL COOPER 713.254.4984 ccooper@greenwoodking.com GREENWOOD KING PROPERTIES 4026 GreNNoch ayrshire/Braes heights area | lP: $1,280,000 3102 Fairhope Medical center area | lP: $379,000 Just Sold Just Sold For Sale For Sale

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