Woody Guthrie’s daughter to visit Scotland to highlight Huntington’s disease

The daughter of American folk singer Woody Guthrie is to help raise awareness of Huntington’s disease in Scotland.

Nora Guthrie is to follow in the footsteps of her father, who had Huntington’s and visited Scotland when he served on a merchant ship during the Second World War.

The singer, who died from complications of the disease aged 55 in 1967, is considered one of the key figures in 20th century American folk music.

His daughter, who is president of the Woody Guthrie Foundation, is in Scotland to highlight the work of the Scottish Huntington’s Association.

She has dedicated more than 30 years to the curation of her late father’s work and enduring cultural influence.

Ms Guthrie, 75, said: “I am keen to do what I can to help Scottish Huntington’s Association, which has developed a national network of specialist Huntington’s services not found anywhere else on earth.

“At a time when other nations are looking to Scotland to learn about Huntington’s care and support, it’s hugely concerning to hear of Scottish funders considering cuts to specialist services that help to reduce suicides, lower crisis hospital admissions, and make it possible for people to live at home with the people who love them for longer.

“I urge everyone involved in planning such cuts to think very carefully about the long term consequences for families, communities, and health and social care providers. Funders should be taking specialist care and support forwards, not backwards.”

During her visit, she will meet politicians, stakeholders and families affected by Huntington’s at a private event on October 24.

She will tell them the story of her father’s life with the disease through music, footage, artwork, home movies and photos.

She will also visit the Clutha Bar in Glasgow, where a performance by her father is immortalised in a photo on the wall.

She said: “It will be extra special to experience the city that had such a profound impact on my dad.

“About 30 years ago we uncovered his poems and writings about the red Clydeside rain that you can’t escape, how people sound like they are singing when they are talking, and his sadness at having to leave.

“I was always aware of our Scottish links when I was growing up. Woody’s mother, also called Nora, sang Scottish ballads before she became unwell with what we now know was Huntington’s disease.

“That Scottish influence can be heard in his famous ballads.”

Huntington’s disease is an inherited, progressive condition that destroys the brain cells which regulate body movement, the mind, and mental health.

In his last 13 years, the folk singer lived in institutions, being treated by doctors who had little idea of the disease.

Ms Guthrie said: “My relationship with my dad was wholly about Huntington’s disease.

“He couldn’t really talk and there was no physical contact because his body was always moving. I would hold his arms back to hug him.

“There could also be episodes of violence which meant we couldn’t be around, but my mom was always there to take care of dad and looked after his wellbeing for the rest of his life.”

Following his death, the singer’s second wife, Marjorie, founded the Committee to Combat Huntington’s Disease in 1968. It was later renamed the Huntington’s Disease Society of America.