Charlie Gard dies after battling for 11 months
Charlie Gard, the baby who had been at the center of a high-profile court battle passed away on 28th July. Chris Gard and Ms. Yates, Charlie's parents ended the five-month legal battle to take Charlie to the US for an experimental treatment after the most recent tests reflected that he had "suffered irreversible muscular damage". Charlie had suffered from mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome.
Charlie Gard: The child that moved millions
In September'16, British boy Charlie Gard was diagnosed with a rare mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome which causes progressive muscle-defect and brain illness. Transferred to the Great Ormond Street Hospital, Charlie's parents wanted to take him to the US for an experimental therapy called nucleoside. However, the hospital disagreed and the parents took the case to the court- a standard procedure in case of disagreements.
The little boy who touched the world
He became just the 16th person in the world to be diagnosed with this condition. While he was being attended in the hospital, Charlie's parents received £1.4million through crowd funding from the so-called 'Charlie's Army'.
Charlie's parents vs the hospital: A legal battle ensues
In March, Great Ormond Street Hospital asked the court to order the life support treatment to stop. In April, the judge said doctors could stop giving life-support treatment. Charlie's parents then moved to the Court of Appeal to consider the case. On 23 May, the couple's appeal was dismissed by the Court of Appeal. Furthermore, they lost in the Supreme Court too.
Charlie's case catches the Pope's and Trump's attention
On 3 July, Pope Francis messaged in support of Charlie's parents. He said that the life support should not be turned off and offered end-of-life care at one of Rome's hospitals. Soon after, US President Donald Trump messaged to support Charlie's parents. With renewed hope, the parents returned to the High Court with fresh evidence about the treatment.
Doctor says " it was too late", parents withdraw case
Just before the High Court was going to give its final verdict, Charlie's parents withdrew their plea. The US doctor offering the experimental treatment said the latest MRI revealed that nothing could be done- 'it was too late for Charlie'.
Too late for Charlie, but the battle continues
However, the heartbreaking conflict didn't end there. Charlie's parents wished to take him home or keep him alive on a respirator in the hospice facility to have few more days with him. The Great Ormond Street hospital reasoned that it was inconceivable to provide home care. Moreover, they said the hospice facilities couldn't provide the needed intensive life support.
