Charlie Gard’s mother has shared a powerful photo of her terminally ill baby son with his eyes open amid an ongoing legal battle to take him to the US for treatment.
Parents Connie Yates and Chris Gard want their 10-month-old son, who suffers from a rare genetic condition and has brain damage, to undergo a therapy trial in America.
Strasbourg judges have told doctors at Great Ormond Street Hospital to continue providing life-support treatment to Charlie until midnight on Tuesday to give them time to examine papers filed by his parents' lawyers.
The High Court, which ruled against the trip in April, had heard from doctors that “his brain is failing to learn to see” and this helped show he should be removed from life support and allowed to “die with dignity”.
But Ms Yates, from Bedfont, posted the emotional photo on Facebook, writing: “A picture speaks a thousand words.”
She said this was “proof” he should be allowed to make the trip.
Three Court of Appeal judges upheld the High Court’s ruling in May and three Supreme Court justices on Thursday dismissed a further challenge by the couple after a hearing in London.
Ms Yates screamed as Supreme Court justices announced their decision.
Charlie, who was born on August 4 last year, has a form of mitochondrial disease, a condition which causes progressive muscle weakness and brain damage.
Specialists in the US have offered an experimental therapy called nucleoside.
Charlie's parents, who are in their 30s, have appealed for money on a GoFundMe page to cover doctors' bills in America. They reached a £1.2 million target before the High Court trial and well-wishers have continued to donate.
