Source: facebook An 11th-Hour attempt to fly the toddler to Italy to save his life was denied
Tom Evans and Kate James are keeping a bedside vigil for their terminally-ill son 23-Month old Alfie Evans. After a last-minute attempt to persuade judges to let them move the 23-month-old to a foreign hospital failed last night.
The couple, who are both in their early 20s and from Liverpool, maintain that life-support treatment should continue to be provided for their child, who suffers from a rare neurological illness.
However, the pair have now lost appeals in all of the UK High Court, UK Court of Appeal, UK Supreme Court and European Court of Human Rights to keep their son alive.
Alfie was offered Italian Citizenship in a last minute attempt to have him flown to Rome to continue trying to find treatment for his rare condition - but the move was blocked by a judge.
The toddler had his life support switched off at 9:17pm on Monday evening, but is continuing to breathe - defying doctors expectations.
The case has drawn massive attention all over the globe, with the likes of Pope Francis weighing in:
Moved by the prayers and immense solidarity shown little Alfie Evans, I renew my appeal that the suffering of his parents may be heard and that their desire to seek new forms of treatment may be granted.
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) April 23, 2018
Heartbreak
Speaking this morning; Alfies heartbroken Father said:
“We could take it further, but would it be the right thing to do, would people give me more criticism.
“So what we do today, is we have a meeting with doctors at Alder Hey and we now start asking to go home.”
“As I sit next to Alfie’s bedside, every second of every day, it encourages me more and more that he will live for ‘x’ amount of months, possibly years.”
The 21-year old told LBC that he believes that Alder Hey doctors “hate him” for fighting against the decision to end his life support.
Adding he believes his son’s survival was not a “miracle” saying that he had always struggled to believe the toddler was suffering from a neurological disease
Source: facebookProtests
Protesters have continued to gather outside the children’s hospital yesterday and today, with people reportedly blocked from entering the hospital.
Doctors are arguing Alfie has been in a “semi-vegetative state” for more than a year and said that it was in the little boy’s best interest to end his life support rather than be taken to Italy — a view backed by the courts.
However tensions continue to mount over reports from an Evans family friend that Alfie is being mis-treated by doctors.
Last night Merseyside Police warned supporters of Alfie’s family that their social media posts are being monitored over reports that Alder Hey doctors are being hit with abuse.
Response
Responding to last night’s judgement, a spokesperson for Alder Hey said: “We note today’s ruling from the Appeal Court which has rejected both applications to take Alfie to Italy.
“Our top priority is to continue to provide Alfie with the care he deserves and to ensure his comfort, dignity and privacy are maintained at this time.”
Source: Facebook
