Charlie Gard 20

[CremeFresh]

Don't know if anyone else has started a new thread .

The law must not change! Vulnerable people will be abused. Loopholes will be found. Changing euthanasia laws will open the gates to exploitation and corruption.

I agree entirely.People can campaign as much as they like for "Charlie's Law" to give parents more rights, but I doubt they will get anywhere.

I disagree. I think the law needs to change and WILL change. Maybe not in 'our' lifetime but I do think that the issue of ownership of our own bodies, and the decisions that we make when we have the capacity to do so will continue to gain momentum.

Ceto, fair point, but where was the Guardian at this point - do they not have more authority than the parents? I would of assumed if the HCPs and the Guardian has been clear then the views of the parents would of been less important.

The more I think about it the more angry I get.

i said that to a few posters ceto of course no answer

The rest of us who are not vulnerable might think differently though and we have a voice too.

Back to Charlie. I think the ECHR judgement was a bit slow but don't forget all these courts have a full programme and other matters have been shunted further down the line for these hearings. Courts are not just sitting around for business. I think the effort of researching the law, dealing with clients and putting forward a case takes time. The judge referred to the time it has taken everyone. It was an important case and did reinforce the child's needs as being paramount. The Guardian's position was fairly forcefully advocated but if you recall a lot of compliments were aimed at the Guardian's barrister by the parents. Again this was to put doubt on the role of the Guardian because they believed they had the only role.

When I say "time it has taken everyone" I mean the sheer amount of hours and work it has taken.

The issue of euthanasia is a difficult one, but I think that there are some cases where it should be allowed. MND being one of them.

I do hope the fact its all quiet today suggests that he will soon be at peace / free from pain.

This is a particularly good article about Charlie's case covering both the legal and the medical issues. Rightly scathing about the media's performance.

reaction.life/charlie-gard-facts/

So, do the majority of people on this thread feel like this case was handled well by the justice system? Or do you feel that the 'bending over backwards' for the parents actually meant that Charlie was not put first until many months down the line?
I'm struggling with the fact he was kept on the ventilator for such a long time despite medical opinion being against this.

I think that the judge did very well although I do think that possibly he could have been firmer towards the end.

I'm struggling with the fact he was kept on the ventilator for such a long time despite medical opinion being against this.

I struggle with that too Nateismine.

Nate I think that the time delays between first hearings, permission for appeals etc is something that needs to be looked at going forward. For such a vulnerable child, the times that passed between each stage of the process were too long. I almost believed that he WASN'T in pain so to hear that even Hirani, last week said that he showed signs of pain is horrendous. I think that there is a very real possibility that Charlie's case WILL set precedents for future similar court proceedings.
And with regards bending over backwards for his parents, I think it's too soon to comment. I have totally supported GOSH stance throughout, but today, was actually moved to tears in bloody M&S because of the baby clothes. I can't begin to imagine the depths of their pain today.

Nateismine - me too, it really annoys me too.

As someone who is nowhere near left wing the ranting of the US Republicans, Farage et al. is really really pissing me off.

I would hope that over time people see the reality of this case and GOSH reputation is restored / enhanced.

Nippie, that is a great article making very important point very eloquently. Thanks for posting it.

RIP Charlie

Update on Guardian news says that Charlie has died. :-(

Guardian reporting Charlie has passed

Just had an alert that Charlie has died. That dear little boy is now at peace.

Charlie is at peace.

www.dailymail.co.uk/home/index.html

Everyone involved before court probably thought, one more day and they will understand, which turned in to another and then another.

Maybe there needs to be a review and trust/nationwide timescales for resolution before court if a child is in pain.

If not agreed within the plan time after the process is initiated, then it goes to court.

I've just had an app notification from The Guardian website that reports that Charlie has died.

Sweet dreams

Oh gosh, sorry, cross post. Rest in peace Charlie