In this episode of It Happened To Me, hosts Cathy and Beth are joined by Tanita Allen, a resilient advocate for Huntington’s Disease (HD) and the author of the touching memoir, We Exist. Tanita shares her personal journey with HD, from her initial symptoms and challenging diagnostic process to her current role as a self-advocate and member of The HD Community Advisory Board.

Tanita discusses the complexities of living with HD, a condition often described as a combination of Parkinson’s, ALS, and Alzheimer’s. She offers insight into the importance of genetic testing, the impact of environmental factors on her early onset, and the emotional journey of being the first in her family to be diagnosed with this rare genetic condition. Additionally, Tanita shares her five key strategies for maintaining a hopeful disposition in the face of medical challenges.

Tanita Allen is a dedicated advocate for Huntington’s Disease and the author of *We Exist*, a memoir documenting her journey with HD. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Affairs and is a certified paralegal. Tanita's advocacy work is enriched by her extensive experience in customer service and sales. She is a member of The HD Community Advisory Board and has been featured in Forbes, where she discussed the significance of self-advocacy and collaboration.

Key Discussion Points:

• Understanding Huntington’s Disease (HD): Tanita describes HD as a trifecta of Parkinson’s, ALS, and Alzheimer’s. She shares her experiences with the hallmark symptoms and discusses the prevalence of HD in the population.
• Diagnostic Journey: Tanita opens up about the challenges she faced in receiving a diagnosis, particularly the added complexity of being a Black woman. She details her experience with genetic testing, including the significance of CAG repeats in the HTT gene and how her results correlated with her early onset of symptoms.
• Emotional Impact and Family Dynamics: Tanita reflects on how she processed her diagnosis and the emotional toll it took, especially as the first person in her family to be diagnosed with HD. She also shares the story of another family member who was later diagnosed.
• Five Strategies for Hope: Tanita outlines the five key strategies she discusses in her book for maintaining a hopeful outlook:
  • Embracing Change and Adapting
  • Learning from Difficult Moments
  • The Power of Community
  • Celebrating Milestones
  • Making Self-Care a Priority
• Advice for Others: Tanita offers parting advice for those facing medical challenges, emphasizing the importance of self-care, community support, and staying hopeful.

Please check out Tanita’s book, “We Exist”. You can order a copy directly from her website, tanitaallen.com. Also check out her Forbes article, “Why Self-Advocacy Can Help You Become An Invaluable Collaborator”.

Stay tuned for the next new episode of “It Happened To Me”! In the meantime, you can listen to our previous episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “It Happened To Me”.

“It Happened To Me” is created and hosted by Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman. DNA Today’s Kira Dineen is our executive producer and marketing lead. Amanda Andreoli is our associate producer. Ashlyn Enokian is our graphic designer.

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