In this episode of Hope for the Caregiver, I sit down with DJ and Jessica Rowland to talk about life with Huntington's disease—and what it really means to keep living when the diagnosis is grim. Jessica was diagnosed in 2018 after a season of clumsiness, psychological symptoms, and career struggles. DJ, her husband and primary caregiver, balances running a mobile truck repair business with caring for her needs, adapting their home for safety, and bringing her along when he can. Their support network of family and friends has learned to adjust plans so Jessica can be part of them.

We talk about the "incremental grief" of watching someone you love slowly lose abilities, and how they've chosen to push back against fear with adventure—riding motorcycles, taking a hot-air balloon ride, and embracing experiences Jessica once avoided. Their motto says it all: "Fear does not stop death. It stops life." DJ shares the adjustments they've made for her mobility, swallowing, and pain, and the way the HD community has become a vital source of encouragement despite the heartache of seeing friends decline.

Faith plays a role, too. Past experiences with their autistic son being unwelcome at church have kept them away for a while, but they hope to join a congregation after moving to a warmer climate. DJ finds comfort in the "Footprints" poem, and I encouraged them to explore the story behind It Is Well with My Soul. We closed with my caregiver song, I Can Only Hold You Now, and a reminder that the goal isn't simply to avoid death—it's to live fully with the time we have.

"A Caregiver's Companion" Release Date 8/20/2025.

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