‘Time’s run out for our brave warrior
Parents accept end to legal battle Mum: He’ll die before 1st birthday US doc should ‘reflect on advice’
IN the most heartbreaking decision of their lives, Charlie Gard’s parents yesterday ended the lengthy legal battle to have their sick son treated in the US.
Chris Gard and Connie Yates wept as they bravely faced the world to pay tribute to their tragic little “warrior”, just days short of his first birthday.
But the distraught couple’s tears were tinged with anger as they insisted delays caused by the case meant time had run out to have any chance of the therapy working.
And doctors caring for Charlie at Great Ormond Street suggested US neurologist Professor Michio Hirano may have given the parents false hope by claiming he could treat the tot and urged him to “reflect” on his advice.
In an emotional address outside the High Court in London, Chris told how little Charlie’s muscles had wasted so badly due to the mitochondrial he was battling there was now no way of helping him. He said: “There is one simple reason for Charlie’s muscles deteriorating to the extent they are in now… time.
“A whole lot of wasted time. Had Charlie been given the treatment sooner he would have had the potential to be a normal, healthy boy.
“Our son is an absolute warrior and we could not be prouder of him and we will miss him terribly.
“Charlie has had a greater impact on and touched more people in his 11 months than many people do in a lifetime. We are struggling to find any comfort or peace with all this but one thing that does give us the slightest bit of comfort, is that we truly believe that Charlie may have been too special for this cruel world.
“We are now going to spend our last precious moments with our son Charlie, who unfortunately won’t make his first birthday in just under two weeks’ time.
“Mummy and daddy love you so much Charlie, we always have and we always will and we are so sorry that we couldn’t save you.
“Sweet dreams, baby. Sleep tight our beautiful little boy. Charlie Matthew William Gard. Our hero.”
Earlier, many in the packed courtroom were moved to tears, including journalists, lawyers and clerks, as Connie told judge Mr Justice Francis their battle was over.
She said: “We have decided that it’s no longer in Charlie’s best interests to pursue treatment and we will let our son go and be with the angels.
“Our poor boy has been left to just lie in hospital for months without any treatment while lengthy court battles have been fought.
“We have been told time and again that Charlie has a ‘progressive disease’ but rather than allow treatment for him with a medication that was widely accepted to have no side-effects, he has been left with his illness to deteriorate, sadly, to the point of no return.”
The couple’s barrister Grant Armstrong added: “This case is now about time. Sadly, time has run out. The parents’ worst fears have been confirmed. Any parent would have wished to fight as strongly as Connie and Chris have to protect Charlie’s best interests and his right to receive appropriate medical treatment, few of us would have had the courage and determination to do so.”
Chris and Connie, both in their 30s and from Bedfont, West London, had made their heart-wrenching decision on Friday but asked those involved to keep it quiet so they could spend as much time as possible with their son.
They had launched their fight to take Charlie to America for an untested nucleoside treatment. The couple had raised £1.3million for the trip. Great Ormond Street doctors insisted it was an experimental therapy and would not help the child, who has brain damage and cannot move his arms or legs.
The medics argued he should be allowed to die with dignity.
Last week, Prof Hirano travelled to London to examine Charlie for the first time and discuss the case with his doctors – boosting Chris and Connie’s hopes. But Mr Armstrong told the
He is an absolute warrior, we could not be prouder of him. We will miss him terribly CHRIS GARD IN EMOTIONAL ADDRESS YESTERDAY
court the specialist said he was no longer willing to offer the treatment after he saw a new MRI scan.
Great Ormond Street yesterday claimed the medic had a financial interest in the case.
Its lawyer Katie Gollop QC said it hoped those, like Professor Hirano, who “have provided the opinions that have so sustained Charlie’s parents, their hopes and thus this protracted litigation with its many consequences, will also find much upon which to reflect”. And it revealed it would be giving “careful thought” to what it can learn from the “bruising” court fight.
Despite their battle with Great Ormond Street, Connie praised the commitment of workers there.
She said: “We would like to thank the staff who have looked after Charlie and kept him comfortable and stable for so long.
“The care he has received from the nurses has been second to none. Most of all, we would like to thank Charlie for the joy he has brought to our lives.” Mr Justice Francis, who first heard the case back in April, paid tribute to the determination of Chris and Connie.
“These parents should know that no parent could have done more for their child.” Great Ormond Street said the couple were now “working with the hospital to formulate the best possible plan” for Charlie’s end-of-life care.
It added: “The agony, desolation and bravery of their decision command
GOSH’s utmost respect and humble all of us.” Connie thanked their lawyers, who had worked for free – as they were not entitled to legal aid – and “won’t even let us buy them a coffee”.
Mr Justice Francis urged MPs to relax legal aid limitations so parents embroiled in similar disputes with hospitals should be given assistance.
He said: “I cannot imagine that anyone ever intended parents to be in this position.”
The Pope had taken a personal interest in Charlie’s case and yesterday the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales said he was praying for Chris, Connie and little Charlie.
It added: “Their farewell to their tiny and precious baby touches the hearts of all who, like Pope Francis, have followed this sad and complex story.”