Yesterday, Faithit reported the story of baby Charlie Gard, a 10-month-old from London whose doctors have been granted the right to take him off of life support against his parents’ wishes. His life support was set to “run out” at midnight last night.
Charlie’s Fight
But for the third time in the past three months, Charlie and his parents got a surprise extension.
Connie Yates and Chris Gard have raised more than 1.6 million dollars to bring their son to the United States for an experimental treatment that they believe will save his life. Charlie was diagnosed in the terminal stages of a disease called mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome just two months after he was born. The condition has only been diagnosed in 16 people ever.
Charlie’s Fight
Doctors fear that the baby, who is on life support, has suffered too much brain damage for any further treatment to work in his favor. They took Connie and Chris to court over the matter, which ruled in favor of the doctors that baby Charlie should not travel to the U.S. but rather be able to “die with dignity.”
An April 11 court hearing ruled that doctors would have authority to shut off Charlie’s life support machine as of May 30, at midnight. But when the European Supreme Court swooped in to review the case at the 11th hour, Charlie was given a few more weeks to live.
Charlie’s Fight
Charlie was given a new “shut-off” date of midnight on June 13. That deadline has now been extended once again, thanks to the European Court of Human Rights. Doctors have been ordered to keep Charlie on life support until at least midnight on Sunday, June 19, while the ECHR continues to review the case.
Lawyers representing Connie and Chris say parents should be free to make decisions about their children’s medical treatments unless any proposed treatments pose a risk of significant harm.
Charlie’s Fight
We know that God has an incredible plan for Charlie, Connie and Chris. Our prayer is that He would show up in a BIG way, and do something only He can do—not for the glory of doctors, experts or even parents, but solely for the glory and praise of the One who gives life abundantly.
