Judge to rule on right to life case
09/03/2006
Thank you so much for handling my case so well. You came to know us at a great time of sadness and you were so kind. We will always remember you as very professional but also very warm hearted.
Sylvia, Tamworth
A judge will rule on Wednesday whether a baby boy will have life-sustaining treatment withdrawn.
The
parents of Baby MB gave evidence at the High Court in London yesterday.
His mother told the court that Baby MB liked to watch Shrek 2, Barney
and Toy Story. She said that in the past few weeks her son had regained
the ability to move a foot and his bottom lip, and that his smile was
returning. Final evidence was heard today at the Court.
Baby MB
is 18 months old and suffers from spinal muscular atrophy type 1 - a
progressive condition leading to paralysis. Type 1 is the most severe
form of the condition. The condition is incurable. He cannot breathe
unaided and receives endotracheal ventilation at hospital which is
keeping him alive.
Baby MB's cognitive abilities are intact,
but he has limited movement. He can move his eyebrows, feet, and his
fingers very slightly - the rest of his body is immobile. He cannot
chew or swallow and is fed through a tube.
The Hospital Trust
has made an application to withdraw ventilation from Baby MB. His
parents are fighting for ventilation not to be withdrawn.
"The
Judge has an enormously difficult decision to make in this case. He has
now heard evidence from doctors at the Hospital and the parents of Baby
MB. We expect the judgement to be handed down on Wednesday. The family
remain hopeful that Baby MB will be given the right to continue to have
ventilation, which they believe gives him quality of life," said
specialist healthcare public law solicitor Chris Gawne who is acting
for the family.
Alexander Harris represent a number of clients in withdrawal of treatment cases.
Please Note:
Reporting
restrictions remain in place. Restrictions on revealing the anonymity
of the parents will also remain in place after the judgement has been
given.
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)
SMA is a
progressive neuromuscular condition affecting motor neurones in the
spinal court and brain stem. It leads to weakness of the muscles
supplied by the motor neurones - in particular the limb muscles,
swallowing muscles and trunk muscles including breathing muscles. Type
1 is the most serious category.
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