Give William the chance he deserves

WILLIAM Verden likes playing with his friends. He likes to go to the driving range, hit some balls, go for a long walk.

Every day, he does his schoolwork, naps, watches TV. William loves his mum and dad, and his brother and sister.

And this could be his last Christmas.

The 16-year-old’s autism and ADHD mean he rips the delicate tubes needed to keep him alive out of his arms.

He can’t help it. He knows he shouldn’t but he can’t help it. He told his mum, Amy: “My tubes keep me safe. I don’t want to die.”

But the decision is being taken out of his hands.

Fight

Medics say his behavioural problems mean he is too difficult to treat. They want to place him in palliative care. End-of-life care.

Amy has vowed to fight this decision.

She says if her son were bedbound or in pain, she would understand the decision.

But he isn’t.

He’s a lively, funny, bright boy Amy says is doing “brilliantly” despite the challenge he faces.

The case will make its way, inevitably, to the High Court. And, of course, experts will make their case. Is this boy beyond treatment? Can he be saved?

William deserves a chance at life. If there is any possibility, any chance, that medics could help him, he deserves it.

Solicitors working with the family say Amy only wants what everyone wants for their children – the best possible life and future for her boy.