Mum Defends High Court Fight To Let Son Die

Published by TPOS on 2 November, 2009 - 18:52

The mother of a chronically ill baby has defended her court battle with the child's father to have his life support machine turned off.

The boy, known only as RB, has congenital myasthenic syndrome, a rare neuromuscular condition which severely limits limb movement and the ability to breathe independently. He has been in hospital since birth.

Doctors want to take the one-year-old off a ventilator which helps him to breathe, but the boy's father, who is separated from the mother, opposes the plan.

The hospital trust which provides his care has taken the case to the High Court.

If the trust wins, it would be the first time a British court has ruled against the wishes of a parent whose child does not suffer from brain damage.

In a statement, the mother's lawyer, Anthony Fairweather said: "RB's mother has sat by her son's bedside every day since he was born.

"Every day she has seen the pain he experiences just to survive.

"In deciding to support this application she has listened and consulted with some of the best doctors in the world. Their view has been unanimous.

"In her mind the intolerable suffering experienced by her son must outweigh her own personal grief should she lose her child."

But lawyers for the father argue the baby's brain is unaffected by the condition and that he can see, hear, feel and recognise his parents.

They will submit video footage which they say shows Baby RB playing with toys, enjoying listening to music and interacting with his parents.

The father argues that a tracheostomy, where a hole is made in the neck to allow air to reach his lungs, would allow his son to leave hospital and be cared for at home.

Christopher Cuddihee, a solicitor acting for the father, told The Sunday Telegraph: "This is a tragic case.

"The father feels very strongly that Baby RB has a quality of life that demands the trust should continue to provide life-sustaining treatment.

"The father clearly adores his son and hopes to demonstrate to the court that the trust's application should be rejected."

Neither of the parents nor the NHS trust can be identified for legal reasons.

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Submitted by TPOS on 2 November, 2009 - 18:54

would that be Islamically allowed?
u would call that euthanasia wouldn't u...?

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"How many people find fault in what they're reading and the fault is in their own understanding" Al Mutanabbi

Submitted by You on 3 November, 2009 - 15:36

being "not as strong" and being in constant pain are two different things.

Also, the animal case is different - you cane at a cow, but you will not eat a human (well, hopefully not).

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"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.

Submitted by You on 3 November, 2009 - 15:53

It may have been a tasteless addition... but its what this thread reminded me of.

As for the original issue... no idea. It must be mad for the mother to even consider what she is promoting.

A body as a mound of flesh can probably be artificially be kept alive for a long time, but is that really living?

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"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.

Submitted by You on 3 November, 2009 - 16:30

The first video in also has some interesting things to say about this topic too.

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"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.

Submitted by You on 3 November, 2009 - 21:55

Baby RB surgery 'not an option'

A one-year-old boy at the centre of a "right-to-life" legal dispute would not benefit from an operation to help him breathe, the High Court has been told.

The child, known as Baby RB, has a rare, genetic condition that makes it hard for him to breathe independently.

But a leading paediatrician, known as Dr F, said he was "not a candidate" for surgery to try to open up his airway.

Baby RB's father is fighting a hospital's attempt - backed by the mother - to withdraw his life support.

The father's lawyers argue that the boy's brain is unaffected and that he can see, hear, interact and play.

But Dr F, as he is known for legal reasons, told the court Baby RB was living a "burdensome existence".

'On a knife edge'

Baby RB suffers from congenital myasthenic syndrome and has been in hospital since birth.

His father believes he might be taken off his ventilator and returned home if surgeons carried out a tracheotomy, which creates an opening in the neck to deliver air to the lungs.

His doctor has agreed to carry out a tracheotomy assessment on Saturday and report back to the court next week.

But on Tuesday, Dr F, who is a paediatric intensive care consultant, agreed with the boy's hospital and his mother that his quality of life was so low that it would not be in his best interests to try to save him.

Read more @

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"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.

Submitted by You on 4 November, 2009 - 19:04

Doctor admits baby 'may interact'

A doctor has agreed a baby in a "right-to-life" legal row may be able to interact - but any mental development would only make his fate more tragic.

The paediatric neurologist told the High Court the severely disabled child, Baby RB, would remain in a "no chance" situation even if he developed further.

He questioned the life the boy would lead if he was capable of cognitive function but physically so disabled.

The boy's father is fighting an attempt by the hospital to end life support.

The hospital is supported by the mother, who agrees with the lawyers who say her son will lead a "miserable, sad and pitiful existence", even if surgery allows him to be returned home.

Read more @

Do you think either of the parents are being selfish?

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"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.

Submitted by fiifs (not verified) on 4 November, 2009 - 19:28

either or both?

the answer to that ^ could be yes.

but then they are parents.

they want whats best for their kids / want to see their children have a life

Submitted by You on 4 November, 2009 - 19:37

One wants the kid to die, the other wants the kid to live.

Question is does the mother want him to die so she can move on with her own life? Does the father want him to live because he cannot bear to think of his son dying, and would rather he live, no matter how painful it be?

Or am I being callous in even thinking those as possibilities?

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"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.

Submitted by TPOS on 5 November, 2009 - 18:12

as if u ignored me:/

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"How many people find fault in what they're reading and the fault is in their own understanding" Al Mutanabbi

Submitted by You on 5 November, 2009 - 18:23

but you said "want to see their children have a life" when one is choosing the option of pulling the plug... I assumed that the "/" was suggesting both things were the same (best Vs life)

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"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.

Submitted by TPOS on 5 November, 2009 - 18:37

im too tired to think if what ur inferred from my post is the same as what i said. so instead i'll try and write it out again, more clearly.

Both of them could be seen as being selfish

The mother wants the pain to end; not only for her son but for herself too

The father wants the child to be with him even though he knows his child will be in pain.

However they are parents and they obviously care about and love their son.

so it may just seem selfish. or it is.

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"How many people find fault in what they're reading and the fault is in their own understanding" Al Mutanabbi

Submitted by You on 10 November, 2009 - 15:34

Father drops right to life fight

A father who had been fighting to stop a hospital withdrawing life support from his seriously ill son has dropped his objections.

The one-year-old, known as Baby RB for legal reasons, was born with a rare, genetic muscle condition that makes it hard for him to breathe independently.

The hospital was backed by the baby's mother.

But the move had been strongly opposed by the child's father at a High Court hearing.

However, the father changed his mind after hearing medical evidence which suggested it would be in the best interests of the child if medical support was withdrawn.

Read more @

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"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.

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