Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
WE’RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME FOR BILLY.. Mum’s plea for cannabis U-turn
BILLY Caldwell’s mum is running out of the medicinal cannabis which she says is protecting him from violent and potentially fatal seizures.
Charlotte, who revealed she has just 14 doses left, today sends a message to the person who ordered her GP to stop prescribing the drops.
She said: “Come forward, contact us, meet with us.
“We have a resolution, not just for Billy but for all Billy’s little buddies and adults who desperately need this medicine.”
The 12-year-old from Castlederg, Co Tyrone, has severe epilepsy.
But his mum’s GP has been warned he can no longer supply prescriptions for medicinal cannabis.
Charlotte added: “We are running out of time. Nobody on the face of this earth can convince me cannabis isn’t medicine.
“Before Billy was on his drops he had to take a twice daily cocktail of pharmaceuticals.
“He had to take several medications twice a day and that didn’t include rescue medications on top of all of those including buccal and diazepam.
“One thing all the drugs had in common was not a single one of those medications ever helped Billy to stop having daily seizures. No matter how high the dose, he had no relief.
“This is a reality for so many families that is soul crushing to live through. When we found medicinal cannabis it was a miracle for us. He is alert and communicating, eating well, active, sleeping well and enjoying a full life.
“But within 14 days I will have no drops left for him because some faceless bureaucrat has ensured our lovely GP cannot sign any more prescriptions for Billy.
“At the very least, children like Billy should have safe and legal access to this plant. It is a life-saving option and a total game-changer to have this as a first choice or if pharmaceuticals fail them.
“It has proven to be not only completely safe but extremely effective.
“Families should never have to do what many of us have had to do – leave the country for legal and safe access because they want their child to have a fair chance.
“The support has been fantastic and I thank everyone for their help.
“But we need action for Billy and for others who should have the right to access medicinal cannabis that has protected him for the last 18 months.”
But last week Charlotte was told her GP had been warned by the Home Office to stop writing medicinal cannabis prescriptions for a child with severe epilepsy.
She said: “Whether that individual be at the Home Office or Northern Ireland Department of Health, this is an urgent appeal for you to come forward, contact us, meet with us.”
CASTLEDERG YESTERDAY