Please give my Charlie one more chance
Mum’s final plea as even baby’s court appointed guardian says: Let him die
CHARLIE Gard’s mother begged a judge to give him ‘one shot’ at life yesterday – after an expert recommended he be allowed to die.
In a crushing setback to Connie Yates and Chris Gard, a court-appointed guardian said withdrawing their son’s life support was in his best interests.
A judge will rule on Tuesday whether they are allowed to take the eight-month-old to America for experimental treatment against the wishes of doctors here.
Victoria Butler-Cole, for the guardian, told the High Court in London: ‘They have truly done everything they could have for Charlie and have ensured that no stone has been left unturned in the search for some respite from the awful disease that afflicts him.’
But she said even the US doctor offering to treat Charlie had not disagreed that the chances of it working were ‘vanishingly small’.
She added: ‘This is not pioneering or life-saving treatment, but a purely experimental process with no real prospect of improving Charlie’s condition or quality of life. It is not in his best interests to continue life-sustaining treatment.’
Charlie’s type of mitochondrial depletion syndrome is so rare that fewer than 20 people in the world have it. It saps energy from his muscles, lungs and other organs, and he is being kept alive at Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital in London by a ventilator.
His doctors believe he has irreversible brain damage, makes ‘no purposeful movements’ and has no hope of recovery. They have asked the court for permission to withdraw the ventilator and allow Charlie to die with dignity.
Miss Butler-Cole agreed, saying: ‘The continuation of ventilation will not benefit Charlie, but will prolong the process of dying.’ Mr Justice Francis interjected to ask: ‘Any layman looking at this case would say, why not give the parents the chance?’ Miss Butler-Cole replied: ‘In a nutshell, it is not a chance but a wish.’
But Miss Yates, 31, said: ‘Charlie has one shot. One chance at life. This therapy could work absolute wonders.’ Charlie’s father sobbed as she added: ‘His only alternative is death. Why should any human being, let alone an innocent little boy, not be given that chance?’
As family in the gallery dabbed their eyes, Miss Yates added: ‘Char- lie does respond to us. Charlie deserves his chance to improve.’
Debra Powell QC, for the hospital, said Charlie had profound muscle weakness, severe brain disfunction and had frequent seizures.
On Wednesday, Mr Gard, 32, pleaded with the judge to refuse the hospital’s request, saying: ‘I can’t bear to lose him. He’s my boy.’
The couple, who live in Bedfont, south-west London, have raised £1.2million from the public to pay for Charlie to be taken to America and to cover his treatment.
‘An innocent little boy’