A friend of mine suffering from Huntington&#x27;s disease died last year of complications. I always think of Alzheimer&#x27;s similarly to Huntington&#x27;s, although I think the prognosis for Alzheimer&#x27;s has a shorter average life span from diagnosis.<p>It&#x27;s unspeakably distressing seeing people you know degenerate in seemingly random ways, knowing full well there&#x27;s literally no chance of improvement, just temporary pauses in the inevitable.<p>My friend was quite open when speaking privately in the early days and said things like &quot;It&#x27;s OK my mind is still there&quot; when you saw him shaking or unable to walk properly.<p>Later though his mental capacity deteriorated and one time when I asked whether he was aware of his diminishing function he said &quot;No&quot;. He understood the question and for me it was a minor consolation, as heartbreaking as it seems, for him to be unaware of that. To think that you are aware of your situation when your body an mind are basically failing would be that much more horrific. Still it&#x27;s small consolation. His wife also suffered tremendously, as strong and stoic as she is. Living with these diseases takes a toll on everyone around you too.