Telling kids by a kid

My name is Felicity, and I am eleven years old. In 2008, I found out that my Nan had Huntington's disease. I had just turned ten, when my Dad told me. I have recently found out more about HD and I am very interested to find out more as I have a 50% chance of getting it when I am older.

I am so very glad that my Dad told me as I would hate to not know something about my Nan, as I am close to her. Our family has coped with it well, and so have I. There's only one thing; my cousins do not know about my Nan, because that was my Auntie's decision not to tell them. I respect her opinion greatly, but I prefer to know. Personally, I feel it is wrong to not know about something that has happened, as they also have 50% chance, the same as me.

My Dad has explained everything to me about HD, so I am quite aware of what happens. He has made many friends over the HD Message Board, who I have also met. Everyone is very friendly and I have also learnt many things from them.

Some people find it hard telling their children if a member of their family has HD, or may not want to tell them at all. Personally, my opinion (as a child), is to just tell them the truth; children are smarter than you think, and can sense things quite easily. I feel the best way is, like how my Dad told me, just tell them little bits at a time, let it sink in, soon they will start to think about what you have said, they will ask questions and all you need to do is tell them the truth. Do not add any other information, as they will ask you what they want to know. Don't be frightened of telling your kids, they have a right to know. Felicity, 11 years old