Charlie Gard: Doctors can withdraw life support from sick baby

[arista]

The parents
raised funds online to fly him to USA
for some new treatment
But the UK Doctors do not agree.

http://news.sky.com/story/doctors-can-withdraw-life-support-from-sick-baby-charlie-gard-10833718


Let them try USA treatment
its their choice.

[Vanessa]

They're going to appeal. Hope they win.

[Niamh.]

jeez let them fly him the USA and give him a chance

[MrTheMan]

The decision is utterly disgusting!!

Shows how stupidly incompetent the arsehole judge is. Allowing a poor child to die needlessly is literally the lowest of the low. Completely wrong and inhumane!! :mad:

I hope karma bites that idiot Justice Francis back and he gets taken off his life support early.

[AnnieK]

Yeah I don't understand this....If the money has been raised for the treatment and the child will pass away without it...Why would they not allow his parents the chance to try it. It can do no harm and surely Charlie and his parents deserve the right to try everything. So sad for the parents....they must be devastated

[arista]

They're going to appeal. Hope they win.

Yes
a last chance

[joeysteele]

jeez let them fly him the USA and give him a chance

This for me too,a really sad case this but any chance no matter how small should be granted.

[Kizzy]

It because the little lad is disabled, all they see is a future drain on resources.

I hope they appeal too.

[Kazanne]

This for me too,a really sad case this but any chance no matter how small should be granted.

I agree Joey,I cant understand why every chance possible shouldn't be allowed.

[DemolitionRed]

I'm pulled two ways. One is, the love of a child conquers all but at what stage do you have to let go? The American specialist has shown deep reservations about treating a child who is in the terminal stage of this illness. The eighteen children who have been treated on this trial so far, had nowhere near reached the stage Charlie has (blind, deaf and little brain function). Its unchartered territory even for him. This American expert says Charlie would have to injure a lot of pain to go through this treatment and the only reason he'd be willing to go ahead is for compassionate reasons towards the parents.

Parental love has to be the strongest emotion any one of us will ever feel but sometimes, we have to let go. Connie and Chris have both said that they would listen to the advice of the American specialist and if he advised them not to go ahead (and it sounds like that's what he's doing) they would accept that. At the end of the day they just want what is best for Charlie.

[Livia]

It's such a sad situation... This little boy is terminally ill and the decision has been made in the interest of the child, not the parents. There is no evidence to suggest that treatment in the USA is going to make him better or improve his life, only that it could prolong it. He is never going to get any better he will only decline. I'm sure the decision wasn't taken lightly, being a drain on resources wouldn't be a legal reason to make this decision.

All that aside... Jesus Christ, what a terrible ordeal for his parents.

[smudgie]

Poor baby, his parents must be going through hell.
If he is in pain and it won't get any better then as hard as it is he should be allowed to be free of it.
Doctors take very hard decisions before they give up on anybody, let alone a young baby.

[Cherie]

I'm pulled two ways. One is, the love of a child conquers all but at what stage do you have to let go? The American specialist has shown deep reservations about treating a child who is in the terminal stage of this illness. The eighteen children who have been treated on this trial so far, had nowhere near reached the stage Charlie has (blind, deaf and little brain function). Its unchartered territory even for him. This American expert says Charlie would have to injure a lot of pain to go through this treatment and the only reason he'd be willing to go ahead is for compassionate reasons towards the parents.

Parental love has to be the strongest emotion any one of us will ever feel but sometimes, we have to let go. Connie and Chris have both said that they would listen to the advice of the American specialist and if he advised them not to go ahead (and it sounds like that's what he's doing) they would accept that. At the end of the day they just want what is best for Charlie.

It's such a sad situation... This little boy is terminally ill and the decision has been made in the interest of the child, not the parents. There is no evidence to suggest that treatment in the USA is going to make him better or improve his life, only that it could prolong it. He is never going to get any better he will only decline. I'm sure the decision wasn't taken lightly, being a drain on resources wouldn't be a legal reason to make this decision.

All that aside... Jesus Christ, what a terrible ordeal for his parents.


These post sum it up for me really, the Judge will have made the decision on the medical reports provided, thoughts are with the parents and their pain, but is there emotional involvement clouding their judgement, such a hard decision for anyone to make

[waterhog]

as sad as this is I do feel the judge ruleing is correct and what ever pain they have now will be less then the life of watching there child in pain and having such a hard life. I fully back the medical advice.

[joeysteele]

I agree Joey,I cant understand why every chance possible shouldn't be allowed.

It should be.
Courts deny those often with a very short time left to live or those totally dependent on loved ones the right to end their lives.

Maybe the treatment in USA could only prolong the life of this child, however the Parents want to try it.

For me, no court,no Judge, should deny them that chance,no matter how minimal the chance may be.
I think this ruling is wrong.

[user104658]

If he is already deaf and blind and that's permanent, then as tragic as it is, prolonging his life isn't right. It sounds like the treatment can't reverse this, and if that's the case, then I understand the judge's ruling. If there was a chance of him recovering with some quality of life I would be saying completely the opposite but in this case, I don't think the rights of his parents to make decisions for him extend as far as needlessly extending a painful existence with no hope of recovery. As always... I will never be of the opinion that parents "own" their children and have full authority over their lives. A child is an individual from the moment they are born.

[the truth]

Ive donated money to his fund which is near the £1.3 million needed ....I believe with every fibre of my being he deserves the chance of surviving. I also do not believe the judge has the right to take this away from him

[Brillopad]

This is such a hard one. Like everyone else I wold love to see the poor little boy get a chance and his parents given the opportunity to do everything possible to save him - but as already mentioned if his quality of life would be so poor, even if he survived, plus I believe the doctors' have said he is in pain and the treatment in America would cause suffering, maybe it would be best to give him some peace. My heart goes out to his parents.

[jaxie]

Great Ormand St is a wonderful hospital and they will do everything they possibly can to save the life of any child in their care. If they don't think this experimental treatment in the US is going to increase this child's quality of life, they probably know their stuff. I understand though that people hope. But is prolonging this child's life prolonging his suffering?

It's a terrible situation as loving parents will do anything for their children but sometimes there isn't anything you can really do.

[Kizzy]

They have the money, so where's the issue?
We don't have cutting edge tech at our disposal do we however great out service, the boy deserves a chance at life.
In his best interests..... he has no interests, they've seen to that, as far as they're concerned he's as good as dead!

They have 3 weeks to decide whether to appeal, I hope they do.

[smudgie]

I am afraid there is no cutting edge technology waiting for him in America.
Only something that has never even been tried on animals never mind a human.
His brain damage is irreversible, no hope of a decent quality of life and the poor baby is suffering.
Sometimes you have to love someone enough to let them go.

[Kizzy]

He was born on the 04/08/16 (4th of August) perfectly healthy but then he started to decline. We took him into hospital at 8 weeks old and none of us have been anywhere near home since. We have been with Charlie day in, day out & watched our poor baby get weaker and weaker, he now needs a ventilator to breathe but we have never lost hope throughout all this time! After endlessly researching and speaking to Dr's all over the world we found hope in a medication that may help him and a Dr in America has accepted him in his hospital. It hasn't been tried on anyone with his gene before (he's only number 16 in the world ever reported) but it's had success with another mitochondrial depletion syndrome called TK2 which is similar - it's helping children to get their strength back and live longer! We strongly feel as his parents that Charlie should get a chance to try these medications. He literally has nothing to lose but potentially a healthier, happier life to gain. '

https://www.gofundme.com/please-help-to-save-charlies-life

[MrTheMan]

I seriously cannot believe the comments saying that the poor thing should die...

People actually donated their hard-earned money to help them take him to the US, so Justice Francis should hang his ugly head in shame for going against everyone and not understanding that every child should have a right to live... :mad:

The judges actions were completely unethical and stupid, especially if this couple successfully raised millions of pounds to send him to America. I hope that this incompetent "judge" realises that the public are raging at this disgusting decision!!!!

[the truth]

I seriously cannot believe the comments saying that the poor thing should die...

People actually donated their hard-earned money to help them take him to the US, so Justice Francis should hang his ugly head in shame for going against everyone and not understanding that every child should have a right to live... :mad:

The judges actions were completely unethical and stupid, especially if this couple successfully raised millions of pounds to send him to America. I hope that this incompetent "judge" realises that the public are raging at this disgusting decision!!!!

100% agreed. Ive donated Im not sure what else we can do now?

[jaxie]

?I seriously cannot believe the comments saying that the poor thing should die...

People actually donated their hard-earned money to help them take him to the US, so Justice Francis should hang his ugly head in shame for going against everyone and not understanding that every child should have a right to live... :mad:

The judges actions were completely unethical and stupid, especially if this couple successfully raised millions of pounds to send him to America. I hope that this incompetent "judge" realises that the public are raging at this disgusting decision!!!!

That's rather a silly thing to say. No one wants the poor little boy to die but the reality of the situation is that is likely anyway. It's about suffering. He is too young to say enough. How much must he put up with to satisfy other people?

There is no easy response in that kind of situation.

The judge was doing his job, based on the opinion of experts. I doubt you are expert enough, nor heard the evidence that was given to be able to call him stupid and unethical.

How much money was raised only matters if what it was raised for is going to do this child any good. Most of his medical problems are now irreversible.

It's a very sad case but blaming people who view it differently based on the information given doesn't achieve anything. I hope that whatever happens going forward that this poor little boy isn't going to suffer more.

[user104658]

?

That's rather a silly thing to say. No one wants the poor little boy to die but the reality of the situation is that is likely anyway. It's about suffering. He is too young to say enough. How much must he put up with to satisfy other people?

There is no easy response in that kind of situation.

The judge was doing his job, based on the opinion of experts. I doubt you are expert enough, nor heard the evidence that was given to be able to call him stupid and unethical.

How much money was raised only matters if what it was raised for is going to do this child any good. Most of his medical problems are now irreversible.

It's a very sad case but blaming people who view it differently based on the information given doesn't achieve anything. I hope that whatever happens going forward that this poor little boy isn't going to suffer more.
I agree jaxie. I think the problem is that most people are so terrified of death, that they believe there is nothing WORSE than death. So it should be "life at all costs". But there certainly are "fates worse than death". Being totally frank in this situation... A decision needs to be made about whether pushing forward is in the best interests of the child, or just in the best interests of the parents. People need to figure out whether they are sympathising with an individual who is enduring unimaginable suffering, or with the loss that the parents will feel when he's gone.

I do sympathise with both but there's an obvious priority.

[Cherie]

Charlie's parents have withdrawn the action and say they no longer wish to take him to the USA, though it is very sad I think they have finally come to the right decision, it seemed to me that doctors in the USA were happy to use Charlie as an experimental guinea pig, and GOSH stood firm in the face of some really tough opposition. A very sad day but the right decision has been made, its time to let him go and time for Charlies parents who have been under incredible stress for 11 months to move on, I wish them all the best and my heart goes out to them

[arista]

The UK Side
beat them down.

Why not let him go
it must be better than having his machine turned off.


and what happens will all the money they raised?

[Cherie]

The UK Side
beat them down.

Why not let him go
it must be better than having his machine turned off.


and what happens will all the money they raised?

Because it won't help him, and it could cause him pain and distress :facepalm:

I expect they will donate the money to research or GOSH

[smudgie]

Whatever reason they changed their minds I am pleased.

Would the donations go towards paying for all the court costs?

[Cherie]

The press conference was heart wrenching.

[Livia]

I agree jaxie. I think the problem is that most people are so terrified of death, that they believe there is nothing WORSE than death. So it should be "life at all costs". But there certainly are "fates worse than death". Being totally frank in this situation... A decision needs to be made about whether pushing forward is in the best interests of the child, or just in the best interests of the parents. People need to figure out whether they are sympathising with an individual who is enduring unimaginable suffering, or with the loss that the parents will feel when he's gone.

I do sympathise with both but there's an obvious priority.

Charlie's parents have withdrawn the action and say they no longer wish to take him to the USA, though it is very sad I think they have finally come to the right decision, it seemed to me that doctors in the USA were happy to use Charlie as an experimental guinea pig, and GOSH stood firm in the face of some really tough opposition. A very sad day but the right decision has been made, its time to let him go and time for Charlies parents who have been under incredible stress for 11 months to move on, I wish them all the best and my heart goes out to them

Completely agree with both these posts.

And how awful that staff at Great Ormond Street have suffered abuse and death threats... what the hell is wrong with people?

[arista]

Because it won't help him, and it could cause him pain and distress :facepalm:

I expect they will donate the money to research or GOSH


OK he is going to Die
let him Die at home then - not in that nasty hospital

[Vicky.]

Finally. Poor kid. Feel for the parents too but they should have let go long ago. And shame on those sending death threats to the amazing people at Great Ormond Street.

[Cherie]

OK he is going to Die
let him Die at home then - not in that nasty hospital

If he is able to die at home pain free this will be arranged I've never known a hospital to keep a patient from dying at home unless it is not in their best interest

[Niamh.]

Such a sad story, there must be nothing worse as a parent

[jaxie]

OK he is going to Die
let him Die at home then - not in that nasty hospital

To begin with GOSH isn't a 'nasty' hospital. It's a dedicated children's hospital where lives are saved every day. Any child in the UK is lucky if treated there as they are going to get the best care in the world. It's easy to throw around blame without thinking logically, the little baby is attached to machinery that is keeping him alive it may simply not be possible to move that machinery for him to return home without him either dying while they do it or experiencing suffering. There is no reason to suggest any motive other than his welfare for their refusal to let him go home.

Such a sad sad situation. You have to wonder why the doctor from the US didn't see Charlie before and if news reports can be believed hadn't read his case notes. It seems incredibly irresponsible if true.

[jaxie]

I thought this was a well written article about this sad case if anyone else would like to read it.

http://www.melaniephillips.com/cruel-ignorant-campaign/

And this also.

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/charlie-gard-gosh-hirano-would-he-have-survived-a7861531.html

[smudgie]

Little Charlie has passed away in a hospice.
May his parents find some peace knowing he is out of pain.
R.I.P. Charlie.x

[bots]

At peace now