FATHER TELLS SUPPORTERS TO “RETURN TO EVERYDAY LIVES”
by Sharon Rondeau
(Apr. 26, 2018) — Earlier on Friday, The Federalist reported that a 23-month-old boy diagnosed as “terminally ill” by doctors at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool, UK would not be allowed to go home with his parents unless they exhibited a “sea change in their attitude.”
The Telegraph echoed that report.
Alfie Evans has been diagnosed with a neurological disorder which British physicians say is “terminal,” catalyzing an international movement for medical intervention, similar to the case of Charlie Gard last year.
Pope Francis on Monday expressed his support for further efforts to save the child’s life at an Italian children’s hospital, Gesu Bambino, a measure the parents have sought since December.
On the same day, Alfie’s parents, Tom and Kate, reportedly got into a “row” with local police inside the hospital. Also Monday, Alfie’s ventilator was turned off, and he was expected to die within hours.
He surprised the world by breathing on his own, although his father reportedly was administering mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, a judge ruled that Alfie could not leave the UK even though he had been granted Italian citizenship to facilitate travel there and an air taxi at the ready should permission be granted. An appeals court on Wednesday continued to side with the hospital’s right to decide that Alfie should be allowed to die.
The UK government provides health care to its citizens through the National Health Service (NHS), a socialist system.
On Thursday morning, Alfie’s father, Thomas Evans, had planned to meet with hospital personnel to discuss removing his son from the premises. That evening, Evans issued a statement instructing supporters, known as “Alfie’s Army” in groups around the world but particularly demonstrators outside of the hospital, to “return back to your everyday lives and allow myself, Kate and Alder Hey to form a relationship, build a bridge and walk across it.”
His statement came just a day after he and Kate had threatened to sue the hospital and doctors for “murder” if his son should die. The dramatic about-face is suspected by some to constitute “a hostage note.”
Evans’s full remarks can be read here.
On Thursday night, LifeNews reported, quoting a relative of the family on Facebook, that “Thomas and Kate are not ‘preparing themselves for their sons death’ in no way shape or form, to get him home is their priority and that’s what they plan to do with the help and accompany of Alder Hey.”
This article also appears at AF here: http://www.afsyn.com/were-parents-of-ill-british-child-coerced-into-submission/