Doctors lift ‘do not resuscitate’ order on Charlie
DOCTORS have lifted a ‘do not resuscitate’ order on baby Charlie Gard to the delight of his parents.
Connie Yates and Chris Gard said yesterday that the surprise move gave them fresh hope for the desperately ill seven-month-old.
He is only the 16th person in the world to suffer a rare form of mitochondrial depletion syndrome which causes progressive muscle and organ weakness.
Doctors at Great Ormond Street Hospital have said there is no accepted cure. They believe it would be kinder to allow Charlie to die and last month imposed the partial ‘do not resuscitate’ order.
Mr Gard, 32, said: ‘A nurse gave us the wonderful news the order has been lifted. The decision came out of the blue and was later confirmed by his consultant.
‘Connie and I were thrilled because it is such a positive step in the right direction. We are hoping it means doctors believe there is hope for Charlie.’ The couple are battling to take their son to the United States where they have found a doctor willing to try a pioneering treatment. But first they must convince the High Court there is a chance it might work at a hearing on April 3.
Judges have been asked by the hospital to agree it was in Charlie’s ‘best interests’ to withdraw the artificial ventilator keeping him alive. The device was not part of the do-not-resuscitate order.
After the decision to lift this, Miss Yates, 31, said: ‘It was a relief because we now know that should anything happen, doctors would do their best to keep him alive.
‘When we look at him, it is hard to believe there is anything wrong. He is very stable and doesn’t show any signs of pain and no signs of deterioration.
‘If anything Charlie is thriving. Over the past week, he is looking bonnier than ever.
‘His cheeks are pink and he is gaining weight. His hair is growing and soft and silky. Every day he seems to change and look more beautiful than ever. We are also encouraged by the fact he is not losing any more movement.
‘If anything he is moving even more – he’s always waved his little hands and now he is twirling his feet round more than ever.
‘We still hope doctors might reconsider taking us to court. He has come this far and to give up now would be so wrong.’
Charlie was born on August 4 and admitted to Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London in October where he was later diagnosed with the syndrome.
Miss Yates, a carer, and Mr Gard, a postman, of Bedfont, South-West London, are trying to raise £1.2million to pay to take their son to the US and for his treatment.
Since the Mail highlighted their cause a week ago, the amount on their online GoFundMe page has rocketed to £310,000.
In a statement, the hospital said: ‘Charlie has a very rare and complex disease, for which there is no accepted cure.
‘We have tried to give him the best possible chance of survival. But his condition has continued to deteriorate and we feel we have exhausted all available proven treatment options. We appreciate how hugely distressing this is for his family.’ To donate, go to: www.gofundme.com/ please-help-to-save-charlies-life
‘To give up now would be so wrong’’