Chewing the Fat with Jeff Fisher - 7/29/17 - Jeffy Says Goodbye To Charlie Gard

Episode Date: July 29, 2017

British baby Charlie Gard from Bedfont, London, was born with a rare genetic condition known as mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome that causes progressive brain damage and muscle failure, including the muscles needed to breathe.  After his family fought the government over his care, little Charlie passed away.  Jeffy takes a moment to pay respects. Follow Jeffy on Twitter: @JeffyMRA Like Jeffy on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JeffFisherRadio Follow Jeffy on Instagram: @jeffymra Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Blaze Radio Network. On Demand. The Jeff Fisher Show. Saturday morning's 9 to noon Eastern. On the Blaze Radio Network. British baby Charlie Gard passed away. One week before his first birthday. He's born on August 4th, 2016.

Seemingly healthy. Two months into his short life, his parents noticed his health was declining. They took him to London's great Ormond Street Hospital for children. in October, where he remained. Everyone at Great Ormond Street Hospital sends their heartfelt condolences to Charlie's parents and loved ones at this very sad time. Do they? He was diagnosed with mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome, a rare inherited condition that causes muscle weakness and loss of motor skills. He was the 16th person ever to be diagnosed with the disease.

Through their own research, Charlie's parents, Chris, Garde, and Connie Yates found a doctor in the United States doing research on an experimental treatment. Then he was willing to treat Charlie. The doctor, Michio Horano of New York's Columbia University Medical Center. The treatment used as part of Horano's research has only been used on a couple of patients with a less severe form of the disorder. At the end of January, Charlie's parents launched a GoFundMe page to raise money to bring Charlie to the United States for that treatment. In three months, they exceeded $1.65 million. But the hospital stepped in and opposed this effort, stating that it was not in the best interest of their patient. In February, the hospital decided, based on Charlie's status, that treatment was unlikely to benefit Charlie.

This is in February. Unable to agree, the hospital went to court to have a judge decide, hoping to be able to be able to to remove Charlie from a life support. In April, the U.K. High Court ruled that it was in the infant's best interest for his treating clinicians to remove the ventilator, keeping him alive. That decision was then backed by the European Court of Human Rights in June, which ruled not to intervene in the case. And this was upheld by a British Supreme Court decision that the hospital could discontinue.

new life support to Charlie and he could be he could not be transferred to the United States or elsewhere. Then the case went to the UK High Court last week after the hospital requested another hearing to consider new evidence relating to potential treatment for his condition. That new evidence came in part from Herano who testified that there was an 11% to 56% chance Charlie could show clinical significant improvement if treated. Now, Harano came to London, evaluated Charlie, and spoke with those who had been treating him and other experts. And, of course, the world was watching. On Monday, this past Monday, Charlie's parents gave up the fight to take Charlie to the U.S.

after new brain and muscle scans revealed their son had deteriorated and was therefore less likely to benefit from the experimental treatment, while his doctors and parents battled in court. Too much time had passed. However, the court battle wasn't over yet. The hospital and parents found themselves in court once again this week. This time, Charlie's parents argued for the right to bring Charlie home from the hospital to die rather than the hospital or hospice. The hospital argued there were too many obstacles, including the unwillingness of any care provider to accompany Charlie. You're going to pull the plug.

He's going to die. The disagreement focused on whether Charlie's ventilation tubes should be withdrawn in the hospital, in the hospice, at home soon after the transfer, or at home after a period of days. On Thursday with the hospital and Charlie's parents still at an impasse, the judge's order to remove life support and move Charlie to hospice took effect. We just want some peace with our son, no hospital, no lawyers, no courts, no media, just quality time with Charlie away from everything to say goodbye to him in the most loving way.

That was the mother after the statement from the judge's order was given. Charlie Gart, less than a year old, passed away yesterday. 728-17. Rest in peace, Charlie. To Charlie, we say, Mommy and Daddy, we love you so much. We always have, and we always will, and we are so sorry that we couldn't save you. Sleep dreams, baby. Sleep tight, our beautiful little boy, we love you.

Thank you.