Give him a chance, say parents of life-support baby

THE parents of baby at the centre of a High Court life-support treatment battle have asked a judge to give their son “a chance”.

Specialists at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London think it is time to stop providing life support treatment to eight-month-old Charlie Gard.

Doctors say Charlie, who suffers from a rare genetic condition and has brain damage, should move to a palliative care regime.

Charlie’s parents, who are both in their early 30s, disagree.

Postman Chris Gard and Connie Yates, of Bedfont, west London, want to be allowed to take him to a hospital in America where they hope he can be treated.

Mr Justice Francis has been asked to make decisions about what is in Charlie’s best interests.

He is analysing evidence at a hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London which began on Monday. The judge has been told Charlie, who was born on August 4 2016, has a form of mitochondrial disease, a condition which causes progressive muscle weakness.

Mr Gard and Miss Yates on Wednesday told the judge that Charlie experienced pleasure and was not in pain. They said he should get treatment to see whether his condition improved.

Mr Gard described himself as “Charlie’s proud dad” and asked Mr Justice Francis: “Please give him a chance.”

“My son is the apple of my eye and I would do anything for him and I want to give him a chance,” he said. “He deserves a chance. “It doesn’t mean he should have to die because he will not be like another little boy running around.”

The hearing resumes on Friday.