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An Unshakable Love

WRITING THIS COLUMN is one of the best parts of my job because the people I meet have such powerful stories to share. Take, for instance, Bill and Ramona Johnston—a couple who reminds me that no matter how fast the pace of life may be, it’s the simple things that are truly important and fulfilling.

The Johnstons recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. They have two beautiful children. They share an unconditional, loving marriage. And they have remained a strong family unit while facing a fatal disease—proving that love does overcome and can even make you stronger.

Bill, the public relations director for the San Diego Chargers, met Ramona while they both attended Helix High School in La Mesa during the 1970s. They dated a few times, but a serious relationship didn’t unfold until their paths crossed once more as students at San Diego State University. There, they fell in love and were married in 1983.

For more than a decade, the Johnstons enjoyed an idyllic life. They had their dream home in Jamul, Bill had his dream job with the Chargers, and their kids, daughter Hayley and son Jared, were healthy and happy. Things changed, however, in 1999, when Ramona was diagnosed with Huntington’s disease (HD)—a devastating brain disorder that causes brain cells to die, leading to the loss of all physical and mental capabilities, and death.

Since then the Johnstons have persevered through difficult and painful challenges—always doing so together as a family, never once wavering in courage or commitment. The love Bill and Ramona share as husband and wife, mother and father, has held the family together and has allowed them to still enjoy the simple things in life.

Every morning Bill visits Ramona and brings a Starbucks Frappuccino to her at the skilled-nursing facility where she is now under 24-hour care. No matter how long his workday, this loyal husband also returns to say good night. An act like this, seemingly so simple, results in moments he truly treasures.

“Mona is the most warm-hearted and caring person I have ever met,” Bill says. “She’s a real-life angel in my life. I would do anything for her. If it were me with HD, she would do so much more.”

When he isn’t spending time with his wife and children or working for the Chargers, Bill is aggressively raising money to find the cure for HD. He raised $20,000 running the 2008 Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon. As a board member of the San Diego chapter of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America, he chairs the fund-raising efforts of the organization. He has recruited just about every prominent player on the Chargers roster to raise money and call attention to the cause. And he’s not stopping until he helps find a cure.

My admiration for Bill and his family begins with their celebration of the simple things and grows every time I think of their unstoppable love, unbreakable family unit and a commitment to each other that will be kept no matter what.

To help find a cure for HD and support those living with the disease, go to www.hdsasandiego.org or call 619.225.2255.

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