Former RAF aircraftman from Yorkshire dies aged 52 after six-year battle with early onset dementia
Paul Higgins was a fit, active, fun-loving family man who was diagnosed with dementia at the age of 46.
Dementia is often considered something that only affects older people, but in the UK there are approximately 42,000 people under the age of 65 living with what is referred to as young onset dementia.
As Paul was to learn, it is not always easy to spot the signs and is often misdiagnosed. At first Scarborough-based Paul was told he had depression.
However, when the medication did not halt the symptoms, he fought for the correct diagnosis; the first of many campaigns he threw himself into in the following years.
According to local volunteer Tim Kirkup who was a friend and supporter for Paul, "he rose to the challenge of his dementia diagnosis with dignity, laughter and his get-on-with-life attitude".
He took advantage of every opportunity and didn’t let dementia stop him engaging in swimming, cycling, football and all manner of activities, with the support of family, friends and local community organisations.
Paul’s mum, Shelagh, moved to Scarborough to support her son, who had been a senior aircraftman in the RAF and was working for local firm Raflatac at the time of his diagnosis.