Ed JamesBBC Radio WM and
Shehnaz khanWest Midland
Live HeiniWhen Liv Heeney was 28 years old, she found a gene that had a flawless development of a rare form of dementia when she was young.
Early onset frontal division dementia (FTD) influenced 13 families, including Mom Bernie, who had already died of 54 -year -old diseases.
Birmingham’s LIV lives with the reality of developing a status in the 40s and dying in the 50s. But she uses her knowledge so that her children are not born with genes.
Also, she was given a chance to plan her family, but she said: “It’s a good balance. I miss it so far and I don’t want to see it so far.”
FTD is a type of dementia NHSThere is a problem with behavior, language and memory, and in most cases it is diagnosed with people between 45 and 65 years old.
It can also be a genetic 1 out of 8 There is a genetic connection.
Live HeiniAs he grew up, he knew that his grandfather and his brothers and sisters were born and lost their lives early as dementia, and they were teenagers when their mother’s car began to recognize other actions.
“She didn’t just look like herself, and she was missing a very unusual work she liked.
“I think that the big first Telltale sign didn’t have a lot of emotional reactions when my father’s dad died (2012).
“My mom was convinced of people that people were worried that what was happening to her dad was happening,” she said.
Slower decline
Bernie was diagnosed with dementia shortly after his 50th birthday in 2013, and her husband became a major caregiver.
Live said that her mother soon lost her conversation as well as basic skills such as washing, walking, eating and drinking herself.
“When she was diagnosed, I didn’t know she didn’t know what was happening.”
In 2017, Bernie died at home, and the 21 -year -old LIV was in a hurry to take a taxi to take the last instant train at the University of London.
Live HeiniAfter years of deliberation, LIV decided to start the genetic testing process at Birmingham Women’s Hospital in January 2024.
She was confirmed in a simple blood test that took about five minutes after the 8 -month process in the initial conversation.
Liv’s Liv’s Liv said, “I always assumed that there was a gene, and I thought it would happen to me.
On August 2 that year, she knew she had been positive for a protein tau (MAPT) genes related to defects.
“I and my partner, ANI, went in, and before I sat in a chair, she (geneticist) said,” I’m really sorry. It’s not the result we want. “
LIV added that confirmation is “difficult to explain.” But it was “not actually shocked.”
Live HeiniFor many people in their 20s, the possibility of dying at a young age is not what they should live.
But for LIV, who works as a designer in London, this disease thinks every day.
The health of future children was one of the main reasons why LIV with seven years of partner had genes.
“If you want to have children, it was a responsible decision that I should take. I had to protect them from this.”
With the help of IVF and embryonic screening, she hopes that a child who will be born without a flawy genes can be born.
“If you find out that there is a gene, there is a way to prevent it from passing the genes now,” she added.
Live Heini‘It is not about aging’
Reeve is a common misconception that dementia only affects the elderly.
“(Dementia) is not a physical change in the natural part of aging, disease, and brain.
“This is a disease like cancer or AIDS like Covid. It’s physical of the body,” she said.
I think LIV should have more funds and research on FTDs.
Despite her diagnosis, LIV decided to live a life in a planned way. Next weekend, she will hold a fundraising night in Birmingham for Alzheimer’s research.
“If you have a child today, I’ll spend 15 years. If you have a child in five years, time will be reduced.”
“I know this reality. I know what’s going on.”
If you are influenced by the problem raised in this story, it is provided through help and support. BBC Action Line.
