Father drops court battle to keep baby alive

Last Tuesday, the father of a child with a severe birth defect agreed to let his child die, ending a British court battle against the baby's mother. The baby, recognized as RB, is 13 months old and suffers from congenital myasthenic syndrome (a rare genetic condition which means he cannot breathe on his own). He needs to be delivered air from a ventilator every three seconds. His brain is not affected by this condition. His lungs are filled with liquid every few hours, giving him the sensation of choking. The doctors then use suction to remove the liquid, causing RB to be in pain. His parents are seperated with different opinions; his father wants him to stay on the ventilator while his mother thinks his time in intensive care should end.

This has got to be the most difficult decision for any parent to make. I can't even imagine what these parents must be going through. I do not agree or disagree with either of the parents; the only way I could ever make a decision like this is if I was going through it firsthand. The baby has been taken off its artificial respirator three times in his 13 months of living. The first time he was able to breathe for 40 minutes, the second 30 minutes, and the third time he only lasted five minutes. His condition looks as if it's getting worse. Ending his time in intensive care means ending his life. This situation is so tragic, and neither decision will have an ideal outcome. I could never imagine having to make a decision like this, and I pray for the parents going through it.


http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/11/10/uk.baby.life.support/index.html?eref=rss_topstories