Charlie G.ard

[Mrs Danvers]

I remember Mrs D used the phrase ''grief thief' or similar

Grief tourist and my god isn't there a load of them around, particularly since the pervasive presence of social media. Heaven forfend some things should be kept private and for very close friends and family only

[Livilla]

Well, this is what happens when parts of the media paint all 'experts' as corrupt and self-serving. This kind of bullshit narrative has an impact and I think that's what we are seeing here. What possible motivation can doctors and nurses in a bloody children's hospital have but to make the right decision for the child in their care? It boggles my mind that people can think there is any kind of ulterior motive.

Trump and plenty of American commentators are keen to push this as an example of "socialist" health care, in cahoots with the State, making a decision to take away a child's life, which is of course utterly ridiculous if you actually look into the facts of this case, but that is the agenda they want to push.

This kind of case reminds me how important it is that we have a non-partisan judiciary who are prepared to take on the hard cases like this and ask themselves what is genuinely in the best interests of the child. Because with the best will in the world, his parents will be clinging to the hope that somewhere, somehow there is a miracle cure. I know I would be. I have every sympathy in the world for them, it's why I've largely been avoiding all the coverage of this, it's just such a distressing situation for everyone.

[viggy]

There also seems to be this obsession for some people that 'The parents know best' and/or 'It is the parent's right to decide what is best with for their child' when that is, quite demonstrably (and frequently proven) not to be true.

Comments like "the parents have every right to do whatever they think nomatter how remote the chance of success is" were particularly nauseating to me, as though their grief as parents was more important than whether a baby should continue to suffer in order to be put through a highly experimental and completely unproven treatment that was almost certainly going to fail.

I find it ironic that Trump is trying to use this as an example of the evils of social healthcare, as to me it's the perfect example of why a healthcare system that's driven by the best needs of the patient, rather than profit, is so important.

[Green]

I think that doctor in America bears a lot of responsibility for the whole circus, and I believe he was heavily financially motivated in offering to 'help'. I suspect he saw an opportunity to make some money and this over-rode any sense of decency (which he may well not have had in the first place). He must be regretting it a bit now, though.

[Topcat]

I hate that it is even news.

It shouldn't be.

[Ruby]

It's a hideous mess.

[bebeh]

What possible motivation can doctors and nurses in a bloody children's hospital have but to make the right decision for the child in their care? It boggles my mind that people can think there is any kind of ulterior motive.

This. But then the social media grief vultures are probably too thick to understand that.
It reminds me of that story (whether true or an urban myth) of a bunch of self-styled vigilantes attacking the home of a doctor after apparently confusing with the word "paediatrician" with "paedophile"

[Pippedydeadeye]

I thought we were avoiding talking about it all because there's nothing to say that's not emotive or potentially judgemental or just difficult. It's an awful situation for everyone concerned.

[mojojojo]

I thought we were avoiding talking about it all because there's nothing to say that's not emotive or potentially judgemental or just difficult. It's an awful situation for everyone concerned.

This. I was surprised this wasn't a thread already. I agree with what most other people have said in that GOSH would absolutely have had the baby's best interests heart. However, I tried to put myself in the parents' situation, and I struggle with the court having the final say (irrational, I know)

[rosy]

The poor little boy has died; at least he's no longer in any pain. His parents must be so broken.

[Mrs Danvers]

And here we go again with A.lfie E.vans. I read with horror what those poor medical staff have had to put up with; a doctor said that these fucking ghoulish tragedy-seekers calling themselves A.lfie's A.rmy threatened to do damage to their utilities systems which would, unsurprisingly, do incredible damage to other sick children on the operating table. I almost can't read about it as it makes me so fucking angry. What is wrong with people?

Not the poor boy's family of course but as in the case of C.harlie G.ard, I don't think they are surrounding themselves with people who have their welfare at heart. To say the very least.

[Figaro]

Yup, it is awful. I have friends who work in Liverpool and all medical staff have been advised to avoid showing any ID badges in public, not to be seen outside the hospital in uniform, as multiple threats have been received. The family have managed to find some kind of cowboy lawyer who has enabled them to launch a private prosecution for murder against 3 of their son’s doctors. It’s awful. I’m struggling to maintain my sympathy for them to be honest.

[F'Artiste]

It’s horrendous.

I feel desperately sorry for the parents, but at best they’re being manipulated. Apparently the father has been demanding the doctors and nurses be tried for murder, and patients, visitors and hospital staff have been reportedly harassed and abused outside the hospital.

[smalex]

Totally agree. I was ranting to Mum yesterday. As with CG the parents seem quite young and vulnerable. They are absolutely being exploited by groups with agendas and batshit individuals. I can't help but wonder if they'll bitterly regret spending what will presumably be their sons last days/hours in such a toxic environment bouncing between the media, lawyers and courts and so at odds with the people who clearly have their sons best interests in mind.

It tragic really. What always annoys me the most- Why do people insist the key argument is that a parent ALWAYS knows best for their child when it is so depressingly often proven not to be the case?

[smalex]

I obviouly can't verify it but someone put a photo on FB yesterday that seemed to show that his 'army' had erected a fucking kids bouncy castle in the middle of the road they're congregating on in front of the hospital. If that's true than WTAF? Its not a church fete.

[sally maclennane]

And again, fecking American right wingers claiming this is evidence against a nationalised health service. Casually ignoring the fact that this family would have faced massive health bills had they been in the US.

I do feel heart sorry for his parents, they are very young and they’ve been wilfully misled by really dodgy organisations. The attacks on the hospital staff are unforgivable though.

[Mrs Danvers]

The family have managed to find some kind of cowboy lawyer who has enabled them to launch a private prosecution for murder against 3 of their son’s doctors.

No :eek: Fucking hell, Fig. That's absolutely appalling!!! And how much of the hospital's resources are going to be wasted fighting that nonsense in court? Oh this is just bloody enraging. I am not surprised you are struggling to find sympathy. Bloody hell.

[smalex]

I honestly can't blame the parents too much, because I can't imagine what its like to slowly watch my child die and be told there is literally no hope, and to have to be faced with a decision to switch off his life support. Specially at such a young age, they must have been teenagers when they had him. I can't say I wouldn't be acting in such a way if I was faced with something so awful. But the people around them, their family, friends and the people manipulating the situation and geeing them on, facilitating the 'campaign' are the fucking lowest of the low.

[Mrs Danvers]

And again, fecking American right wingers claiming this is evidence against a nationalised health service. Casually ignoring the fact that this family would have faced massive health bills had they been in the US.

Some right-wing senator said, "Brits have decided some kids just aren’t worth that much and are disposable.”, and this from a senator in a country which sees hundreds of children slaughtered as a result of gun violence and resolutely refuses to do anything about it. The hypocrisy is breathtaking.

[Livilla]

And again, fecking American right wingers claiming this is evidence against a nationalised health service. Casually ignoring the fact that this family would have faced massive health bills had they been in the US.

Some right-wing senator said, "Brits have decided some kids just aren’t worth that much and are disposable.”, and this from a senator in a country which sees hundreds of children slaughtered as a result of gun violence and resolutely refuses to do anything about it. The hypocrisy is breathtaking.

There is an excellent rebuttal on twitter by Secret barrister against a US tv "journalist" who had been commenting on how the government getting involved in healthcare like this to effectively kill children shows why socialised healthcare is a terrible idea. From a country with a government that, you know, is happy to kill people via the death penalty