BAKERSFIELD, CA- A local father battling the same life-threatening disease that killed his mother, wants to give his son something he didn't have, more memories.
Dan Boyle is doing more of what he loves. "I love music," said Boyle.
Boyle has been playing the trumpet since fourth grade. He also conducted Highland High School's orchestra for ten years.
He was diagnosed with Huntington's disease four years ago. It will eventually prohibit him from playing any instrument or conducting.
"There's no treatment, there's no cure. There's nothing stopping it or slowing it and you basically have between ten to 20 years from the diagnoses until the average person dies. Growing up, I kind of know all of that," said Boyle.
That's because Huntington's Disease killed Boyle's mother, grandmother and aunt. It's hereditary and slowly affects muscle coordination and cognitive skills. Eventually, Boyle won't be able to do everyday things.
"Usually it starts out with some degree of irregular muscle movements, uncontrolled muscle movements ultimately leading up to paralysis in the later stages of the degeneration of the condition that can take upwards from 20 to 30 years overall for the complete affect of the problem," said Dr. Mark Root.
Boyle was in eighth grade when his mother died. He remembers her but doesn't know much about her.
"I couldn't tell you what she thought about politics. I couldn't tell you anything about what she really thought about pretty much anything."
That inspired Boyle to start a video diary of himself answering questions for his 5-year-old son and showing him what he did for a living.
"I'll try to answer the questions I would ask my mom. I have videos of me like playing in groups throughout my whole life. What I did for my career is I conducted. I conducted 3-4 hours a day everyday and I don't have any video of me conducting," said Boyle.
Boyle will have an opportunity to conduct next month with the Cal State Bakersfield concert band. He's been invited to play at an alumni concert in San Diego. But he's requested to conduct the show so his son can see him do it for the first time.
Dan Boyle is doing more of what he loves. "I love music," said Boyle.
Boyle has been playing the trumpet since fourth grade. He also conducted Highland High School's orchestra for ten years.
He was diagnosed with Huntington's disease four years ago. It will eventually prohibit him from playing any instrument or conducting.
"There's no treatment, there's no cure. There's nothing stopping it or slowing it and you basically have between ten to 20 years from the diagnoses until the average person dies. Growing up, I kind of know all of that," said Boyle.
That's because Huntington's Disease killed Boyle's mother, grandmother and aunt. It's hereditary and slowly affects muscle coordination and cognitive skills. Eventually, Boyle won't be able to do everyday things.
"Usually it starts out with some degree of irregular muscle movements, uncontrolled muscle movements ultimately leading up to paralysis in the later stages of the degeneration of the condition that can take upwards from 20 to 30 years overall for the complete affect of the problem," said Dr. Mark Root.
Boyle was in eighth grade when his mother died. He remembers her but doesn't know much about her.
"I couldn't tell you what she thought about politics. I couldn't tell you anything about what she really thought about pretty much anything."
That inspired Boyle to start a video diary of himself answering questions for his 5-year-old son and showing him what he did for a living.
"I'll try to answer the questions I would ask my mom. I have videos of me like playing in groups throughout my whole life. What I did for my career is I conducted. I conducted 3-4 hours a day everyday and I don't have any video of me conducting," said Boyle.
Boyle will have an opportunity to conduct next month with the Cal State Bakersfield concert band. He's been invited to play at an alumni concert in San Diego. But he's requested to conduct the show so his son can see him do it for the first time.