Family’s fight for terminally ill British child back in court
The parents of terminally ill LONDON Charlie Gard told USA TODAY on Sunday that they hope the courts will reverse course and allow their 11- month- old son to receive experimental treatment in the USA.
A hearing is set for Monday in a case that raises bioethical issues and caught the attention of President Trump and Pope Francis.
“What I think a lot of people can’t get their head around is that we are not allowed to take our son from one hospital to another one to possibly save his life,” the boy’s father, Chris Gard, 32, said.
Added his mother, Connie Yates, 31: “There are other doctors in America and around the world now who think it is worth a chance.”
The couple delivered a petition of 350,000 signatures to the hospital asking doctors to allow Charlie to seek treatment abroad. In Britain, the courts have the final say in medical disputes.
A U. S.- based neurologist is willing to try an experimental treatment. But court rulings have prevented them from accepting because doctors don’t think his quality of life would be improved.
On Sunday, a small demonstration was held near the hospital. In attendance was Bobby Schindler, whose sister Terri Schiavo died in 2005 after a landmark right- to- die case.
“I know what it’s like to go through the constant day- to- day roller coaster ride,” he said.