A 24-year-old man has died from a rare and aggressive form of dementia, after medical scans revealed his brain had aged decades beyond his years.
A Mother's Instinct and a Shocking Diagnosis
Andre Yarham was initially told he had autism, but his mother, Sam Fairbairn, grew sceptical as his behaviour changed dramatically. She noticed he was talking less, losing interest in his passions, and no longer wanted to go to his job at sports car manufacturer Lotus.
Pushing for further investigation, Sam took Andre to a specialist. Just before his 23rd birthday, an MRI scan delivered a devastating result: Andre had frontotemporal dementia. Crucially, the scan showed his brain resembled that of a 70-year-old man.
The Courageous Battle and a Lasting Legacy
The progressive disorder eventually left Andre mute, requiring his mother to give up work to become his full-time carer. He later received support at The Maltings care home in Fakenham, Norfolk, where staff celebrated his warmth, energy, and character.
Andre even became the face of the parent company FitzRoy's 2024 Christmas campaign. However, his condition deteriorated sharply last month, and he was placed on end-of-life care. Andre died at Priscilla Bacon Lodge hospice in Norwich on December 27.
In a moving act to help others, his family donated his brain to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge for vital research into the condition. "If in the future it helps one family, then that would mean the absolute world," his mother Sam said.
Tributes to an 'Infectious' Spirit
Toby Sutherland, deputy manager at The Maltings, paid heartfelt tribute. "Our dear Andre lost his courageous battle with dementia just after Christmas," he said. "Andre is such an energy, and his wit, humour and character are infectious."
He praised the care team's efforts and added that memories of Andre "will ring through the walls of The Maltings forever."
Andre's funeral is scheduled for January 27 at Breckland Crematorium, with over 100 cars and motorbikes expected to attend in honour of the young man.
