A 23-year-old man says he will live life to the full despite being told by doctors he has the same dementia gene that killed his mother.
Feckenham FC’s manager Jordan Adams, from Astwood Bank, decided to get checked out with his sister Kennedy, aged 25, following their mum’s early death from frontotemporal dementia in 2016.
“She started to deteriorate quickly, forgetting things, acting robotic and asking me questions rather than engaging in conversation,” said Kennedy.
“Me and Jordan knew we had a 50 per cent chance of inheriting this disease because a year after she passed away my mum’s sister and cousin did too.
“I felt like all my loved ones were being taken away from me one by one due to this evil disease and I couldn’t help but think me and my brother were next.”
Kennedy got the all clear earlier this year but Jordan wasn’t as lucky.
After three grueling months of consultations and blood tests he was told on September 12 that he had the dementia gene.
Jordan told his sister “I have it” as he walked through the hospital’s double doors with his girlfriend following his appointment with the doctor.
The presence of the gene means that at any time he could develop symptoms of dementia or Parkinson’s Disease or both.
“It’s unlikely he will get the disease when he’s old and grey but instead when he’s young and fit,” said Kennedy.
“I have always loved my brother unconditionally but one thing this whole situation has shown me is that I admire him more than anyone on this planet.
“When he got home and broke the news to our loved ones he was comforting them.”
Jordan told family members not to feel sad or guilty and that he intends to live his life to its fullest because he doesn’t know how long he has.
Kennedy has since set up a Go Fund Me page raising more than £7,500 for Jordan to use while he is still able to make new memories.
“I want him to live a great life even if it is shorter than it should be,” she said.
