Dean Windass shares his dementia diagnosis and highlights early symptoms to watch for
Hull: Former Premier League striker Dean Windass has opened up about his recent diagnosis of Stage Two dementia. It’s a tough situation, especially since he had a long career in football.
Windass, who played for teams like Hull City and Middlesbrough, scored his last Premier League goal at 39. He hung up his boots in 2009, and just a year ago, he found out about his dementia.
Now at 55, he’s been experiencing some memory issues, like forgetting names and things his partner tells him. After talking to John Stiles, whose dad was a football legend, he decided to get some scans done. Stiles had battled dementia for years before passing away in 2020.
David May, a former Manchester United player, shared Windass’ diagnosis on BBC Breakfast. He mentioned that Windass is really worried about what the future holds for him. Even though it’s a lot to process, he hopes that by speaking out, he can help raise awareness about dementia.
The NHS points out that dementia comes from brain damage due to diseases like Alzheimer’s. There are six early symptoms to look out for, including memory loss and difficulty concentrating. It’s crucial to see a doctor if you notice any of these signs.
Windass, a father of two who scored 234 goals in his career, believes his dementia is linked to heading footballs during training. He mentioned that he must have headed the ball thousands of times over the years.
After his CT scan, he got the results over a Zoom call. He recalled feeling shocked when he heard the words “mild grade two dementia.” It left him wondering how it would impact his life moving forward.
He’s also been clear that he’s not dying, despite what some people might think. Windass said he’s just taking it day by day, not knowing what the future holds but trying to stay positive.
