Charlie dies just days before first birthday
BABY: Charlie Gard has died just days ahead of his first birthday from a rare genetic condition, following a legal battle fought by his parents that attracted worldwide attention.
In a statement following his death yesterday, his mother Connie Yates said: “Our beautiful little boy has gone, we’re so proud of him.”
BABY CHARLIE Gard has died just days ahead of his first birthday from a rare genetic condition, following a legal battle fought by his parents that attracted worldwide attention.
In a statement following his death yesterday, his mother Connie Yates said: “Our beautiful little boy has gone, we’re so proud of him.”
A day earlier she had claimed the couple were “denied” their “final wish” when a High Court judge approved a plan to see Charlie moved to a hospice and have his life support withdrawn soon after.
His parents had pleaded to be allowed more time with him, after their earlier request to take him home to die also failed.
Ms Yates and Charlie’s father Chris Gard fought a lengthy legal challenge to take their severely ill son to the US for treatment. His plight saw hundreds of supporters – called Charlie’s Army – lending their voices and money for him to be given treatment, with £1.35m raised on an online fundraising site.
The protracted legal battle saw the couple take their case, against Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), to the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court – all of which ruled life support treatment should end and Charlie should be allowed to die with dignity.
Paying tribute to their son following the end of their legal challenge on Monday, the couple, both aged in their 30s and of Bedfont, west London, described him as an “absolute warrior”.
Mr Gard gave an emotional speech on the steps of the High Court when he said: “Mummy and Daddy love you so much Charlie, we always have and we always will and we are so sorry that we couldn’t save you. We had the chance but we weren’t allowed to give you that chance. Sweet dreams, baby. Sleep tight, our beautiful little boy.”
At the time Charlie’s parents believed their son might have been saved if experimental therapy had been tried sooner.
Ms Yates said time had been “wasted”, adding “had Charlie been given the treatment sooner he would have had the potential to be a normal, healthy little boy”.
Doctors at London’s GOSH did not agree, with lawyers representing the hospital saying the “clinical picture” six months ago had shown irreversible damage to Charlie’s brain. They said the “unstoppable effects” of Charlie’s rare illness had become plainer as weeks passed.
Described as “perfectly healthy” when he was born, Charlie was admitted to hospital at eight weeks and his condition progressively deteriorated.
The couple said they wanted to take their son across the Atlantic for nucleoside bypass therapy, but specialists at GOSH said the treatment was experimental and would not help.
Pope Francis and US president Donald Trump weighed in to the debate, with the Vatican press office saying the pontiff prayed for “their wish to accompany and treat their child until the end is not neglected”.
US Vice President Mike Pence tweeted: “Saddened to hear of the passing of Charlie Gard. Karen & I offer our prayers & condolences to his loving parents during this difficult time.”
Our beautiful little boy has gone, we’re so proud of him. Connie Yates, mother of Charlie Gard.