Charlie’s medal of hope
Heartbreaking image the day after judge says doctors should allow him to die
CLUTCHING a symbol of hope, desperately ill baby Charlie Gard clung to life yesterday despite a judge’s ruling that he should be allowed to die.
As he lay in his hospital cot, an image of St Jude – the patron saint of desperate causes – was placed in the eight-month-old’s tiny hand.
Underneath, a prayer to his ‘guardian angel’ asked for protection and shelter while his life hangs in the balance.
Charlie’s devastated parents Connie Yates and Chris Gard have three weeks to decide whether to take his case to the Court of Appeal, to ask judges to overturn a High Court ruling that the baby’s life support should be withdrawn.
Miss Yates, 31, and Mr Gard, 32, want to take Charlie to the US for experimental treatment for the rare genetic condition which has sapped energy from his muscles and organs, leaving him unable to breathe unaided. They are adamant he shows signs of getting stronger and should be given the chance to have the treatment, even if his condition is unlikely to improve.
But High Court judge Mr Justice Francis ruled the treatment was not in his best interests as it could not reverse his severe brain damage and might cause him pain. On Tuesday the judge decided Charlie should be allowed to die, and if his parents are not granted leave to appeal against the ruling, doctors at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London will take him off life support.
The couple met with their lawyers yesterday and were said to be considering their options. Permission to appeal is not automatically granted and lawyers will have to show that they have new evidence or a fresh challenge to the law.
The couple’s solicitor Laura HobeyHamsher said the parents, from Bedfont, south-west London, had hoped the judge would rule in their favour.
‘From their point of view it was an incredibly straightforward question,’ she told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
‘Their son had the chance of treatment that might make him better. Why wouldn’t the judge give him this opportunity? There was a window that was open, a small window, but a window nonetheless. It wasn’t a zero per cent chance, it was a very small chance, but even a very small chance is still a chance.
‘The parents couldn’t understand why – even if it was a small chance – it wasn’t going to be offered to him.’ The solicitor refused to be drawn on whether she believed there was a realistic chance of overturning the judgment, saying: ‘That’s not something I can go into.’
Miss Yates, a carer, and Mr Gard, a postman, had launched an online appeal to fund Charlie’s treatment abroad and were overwhelmed by public support.
More than 82,000 well-wishers donated £1.26million in just two months, and yesterday the donations continued on the GoFundMe website, despite the ruling.
Several donors left messages of support urging the parents to fight the ruling and launch an appeal.
One, Jon Murray, said: ‘Parents should be able to fight for their children (especially when in this case there is hope, even if the chances are unclear) and who knows whether this could benefit many more in the future.’ Another, Sarah-Jane
‘Treatment may cause him pain’
Bentley, wrote: ‘Your little Charlie is just beautiful and deserves a chance of life. I am simply speechless regarding court decision – please appeal.’
Charlie has a severe form of mitochondrial disease, which is so rare that there are fewer than 20 sufferers in the world.
If his parents appeal successfully, the money raised could still be used for the intended purpose of funding his treatment. If not, Miss Yates has suggested they could set up a charity for other children with similar mitochondrial syndromes and fund further research.
Great Ormond Street Hospital has said Charlie will remain on life support until his parents have reached a decision about whether they want to appeal.