A desperate mum revealed how her four-year-old boy Tate could lose the ability to walk and eat after his devastating diagnosis of Sanfilippo Syndrome Type A – known as childhood dementia
09:47, 12 Nov 2025Updated 17:01, 12 Nov 2025
Tate is battling a rare form of childhood dementia (Image: WALES NEWS SERVICE)
A desperate mum is battling against time after her four-year-old son was diagnosed with childhood dementia.
Tammy McDaid, 33, shared her heartbreak after her “beautiful little boy” Tate was diagnosed with a devastating and rare childhood dementia. The mum revealed her son was handed the shocking blow following 18 months of testing, after she believed something wasn’t right.
Tate was diagnosed with Sanfilippo Syndrome Type A – an uncommon, genetic condition known as childhood dementia. Tammy, from Swansea, is now meeting with specialists to discuss treatment options not available on the NHS, as Tate faces losing the ability to walk, eat and is not expected to survive to adulthood.
The four-year-old is not expected to make it to adulthood with his condition(Image: WALES NEWS SERVICE)READ MORE: ‘My gran was evicted from care home. She’s 98 and has dementia’READ MORE: Inside real-life Alzheimer’s lab as scientists grow tiny brains to stop disease
The mum is now determined to race against time and make memories with her son so he can continue climbing, running, and even escaping as long as possible. Tammy shared that she is considering treatments abroad to help little Tate.
Tammy shared what made her push for more tests, which led to Tate’s diagnosis. She said: “When Tate was two he was diagnosed with autism, and although I embraced that journey with love and patience, deep down I always felt there was something more.
Tate’s mum Tammy said she could go abroad to try and find a treatment for her boy(Image: WALES NEWS SERVICE)
“Sadly, my instincts were right. After years of worry and searching for answers, we recently received the devastating diagnosis of Sanfilippo Syndrome Type A – a rare, genetic and terminal condition often called childhood Dementia.
“Children with Sanfilippo gradually lose all the skills they’ve learned, their ability to walk, eat, and eventually even move on their own. My little boy has never spoken a word, and now I know I will never get to hear his voice.”
Tate was diagnosed with Sanfilippo Syndrome Type A(Image: WALES NEWS SERVICE)
Tammy said she is now exploring any possible treatment options not available on the NHS, with the Cure Sanfilippo Foundation. She said: “These potential trials or therapies could give him more time being mobile and eating food.
“More days filled with climbing, running, and me living on edge to see where he will escape to next – but they will be extremely expensive. If there’s any chance to help him, I have to take it. I’m just a desperate mum trying to give her child a fighting chance.”
Tammy has set up a GoFundMe page to help Tate and said if there is no treatment possible she will use the money to make memories with her son. She added: “If, in the worst case, no treatment is possible, then the funds raised will go toward making as many special memories as we can while he’s still able.
Tammy said Tate was diagnosed after 18 months of testing(Image: WALES NEWS SERVICE)
“Trips, experiences, and the ‘simple’ moments we can treasure and appreciate before the disease progresses and he becomes wheelchair-bound and dependent on machines. I know times are hard for everyone, but if you are able to donate anything at all, it would mean the world to us.” Tammy has raised over £5,000 of her £11,000 target.