Three members of the family have Huntington's disease, a hereditary condition that progressively damages the brain. Rick Rodino, Rachel's father, is in an advanced stage of Huntington's and Rachel's older siblings, Gianna and Anthony, carry the gene that causes the disease. Lori Rodino, the only family member who does not have the disease, is wife, mother and caregiver. Huntington's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects muscle coordination. The disease is caused by a genetic defect and is passed along in families. Anthony graduated from Hudson Valley Community College with an associate degree, a story about Rachel's special relationship with the family dog appeared in a book, the family inspired a class of Albany High students and a trial has begun testing the safety of a drug that aims to slow the damage caused by Huntington's. Every time I lifted Rachel off the hospital bed and put her on the couch to change the sheets, Sadie would lie on her legs before I could turn around and put a blanket on her. A dozen students studied Huntington's disease as part of a lesson about the ethical decisions about genetic testing.