Mum Defends High Court Fight To Let Son Die
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.
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/High-Court-Hears-Mums-Plea-For…
13 comments
TPOS Mon, 2 Nov 2009 - 18:54
Re: Mum Defends High Court Fight To Let Son Die
would that be Islamically allowed?
u would call that euthanasia wouldn't u...?
You Tue, 3 Nov 2009 - 15:36
Re: Mum Defends High Court Fight To Let Son Die
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).
You Tue, 3 Nov 2009 - 15:42
Re: Mum Defends High Court Fight To Let Son Die
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Gymnast Shawn Johnson Put To Sleep After Breaking Leg
You Tue, 3 Nov 2009 - 15:53
Re: Mum Defends High Court Fight To Let Son Die
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?
You Tue, 3 Nov 2009 - 16:30
Re: Mum Defends High Court Fight To Let Son Die
The first video in this topic also has some interesting things to say about this topic too.
You Tue, 3 Nov 2009 - 21:55
Re: Mum Defends High Court Fight To Let Son Die
Read more @ BBC News
You Wed, 4 Nov 2009 - 19:04
Re: Mum Defends High Court Fight To Let Son Die
Read more @ BBC News
Do you think either of the parents are being selfish?
fiifs (not verified) Wed, 4 Nov 2009 - 19:28
Re: Mum Defends High Court Fight To Let Son Die
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
You Wed, 4 Nov 2009 - 19:37
Re: Mum Defends High Court Fight To Let Son Die
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?
TPOS Thu, 5 Nov 2009 - 18:12
Re: Mum Defends High Court Fight To Let Son Die
as if u ignored me:/
You Thu, 5 Nov 2009 - 18:23
Re: Mum Defends High Court Fight To Let Son Die
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)
TPOS Thu, 5 Nov 2009 - 18:37
Re: Mum Defends High Court Fight To Let Son Die
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.
You Tue, 10 Nov 2009 - 15:34
Re: Mum Defends High Court Fight To Let Son Die
Read more @ BBC News
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