Charlie Gard, the baby who was denied a chance of timely treatment by the Great Ormond Street Hospital, in London, would have had his first birthday today. Charlie was born on August 4, 2016.
His death at a hospice, which occurred after his life support was switched off, was announced just one week before he turned a year old. He will thus be spending his birthday in heaven. Charlie was baptized a few days before his death, after his parents gave up their legal fight in order to spend what time was left with their son.
“We should be planning Charlie’s first birthday, but instead we’re planning his funeral,” Connie Yates, the boy’s mother said, according to LifeSiteNews.com.
His parents acknowledged the birthday of their “angel son” with an Instagram post:
Charlie’s birthday did not bring any more updates about his funeral, with The Sun reporting today that it has not been decided yet if the funeral will be public or private. His parents have announced, however, that he will be buried with his stuffed animals, including his beloved monkey which appeared in pictures with Charlie and with Connie and Chris Gard, Charlie’s father, at court.
The death of young Charlie is made even more tragic by the legal hurdles his parents had to endure. While his diagnosed mitochondrial depletion syndrome was rare and deadly, his parents had been able to raise the funds to bring him to the United States for experimental treatment which may have helped their son, after deciding they wanted to pursue that option.
Even with money not an issue, the hospital refused to release Charlie, in a failure to acknowledge parental rights. They even took his parents to court, where Chris and Connie lost at several turns, including the desire for more time with their son, and for him to be able to die at home.
Upon giving up their legal fight, Charlie’s parents made it clear that they blamed the hospital for wasted time, as it was likely too late for the experimental treatment to have the desired effect. Time was not the only setback, however, as Charlie’s court appointed attorney was the head of a pro-euthanasia organization.
Even with a tragic conclusion to the fight for Charlie at his untimely passing, his story is not over. As LifeSiteNews.com also reported, Chris and Connie will be using the donations they received to help Charlie for a foundation which will help other sick kids. Charlie’s “legacy” his mother spoke of, “will never die.”
Charlie’s story of denied treatment has already helped to raise awareness about other sick children, including Alfie Evans, also in the United Kingdom, and Dezmen “Dezi” Licea in the United States.