Parents in Battle Over Whether Their Son Should Live or Die

Two parents are locked in a heart wrenching battle over whether their one year old boy should live…or die.

Both mom and dad are at a bedside vigil by the side of their severely disabled baby boy’s bedside. Still the shock that both parents are also locked in a battle whether the child should live or die goes to the UK High Courts.

The child who cannot be named, was born with a rare genetic condition that means his muscles are too weak to move his limbs effectively or breathe properly. The child needs assistance to breath through a ventilator and the little boy’s mother is backing doctors that the machine to aid her son’s life should be turned off.

Still, the loving and caring father of the baby has appointed solicitors to demand his son live a life.

The baby boy’s brain is functioning fine and he is apparently aware of his surroundings, listens to music and stories read by his parents. Both parents have split since his birth but both have remained as a constant by the brave little mite’s bedside.

If the hospital an mother are successful in requesting that the ventilator be turned off, the child will die almost immediately.

The father is hoping that photographs and video evidence of his son playing in hospital will help his cause in saving his son’s life. It is the father’s wish that his son be allowed to return home in time and with aid, lead as normal a life as possible.

The fact both parents are locked against one another what they feel is right for their son must be something any parent would dread. It is the ultimate nightmare and if there is any God then now is the time for divine intervention for proper guidance for this poor child.

In any event if the hospital and mother are successful in their bid, this will be the first time the British High Courts has agreed to a request from the NHS Trust against the will of a parent.

The boy’s father, who like his mother is in his twenties, says that it is a tragic situation involving a child born with the odds stacked against him. The solicitor, Christopher Cuddihee of London law firm Kaim Todner hopes their appeal will be successful so the father can help raise the child and have a happy chance of life as possible.

Again it raises the question of doctors and parents “trying to play God”. There is an argument for both cases, but either outcome will still raise questions as to what was best for the child.

The condition the boy suffers from affects only 300 people in the UK. The condition is known as Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome and affects sufferers in various ways.

According to doctors it disrupts the transmission of signals between the nerves and the muscles. if this disruption is severe then the muscles do not know when to move and when not to. However some forms are very mild and people with the condition can lead a relatively normal life. Severe cases tend to end up in death not long after birth.

Lung infections are common for those with the condition and pneumonia is a serious threat, especially to those that cannot breath or swallow properly.

There is no cure for the syndrome and the condition is treated with medication, but the drugs used are not successful for everyone.

The condition is inherited but doesn’t mean it passes from generation to generation.

Whatever the outcome for this child, this is one nightmare any parent would be sickened to face. The thought of losing a child is distressing enough. But with the knowledge both parents are pitted against one another over whether the child they both love should live or die is beyond comprehension.

Our thoughts are with the parents and the child.