Connie Yates and Chris Gard appear on ITV News and BBC to talk about their fight for son Charlie…
Behind the scenes: Chris and Connie
The parents of sick baby Charlie Gard have given their first broadcast interview after losing their appeal.
Connie Yates and Chris Gard spoke to ITV journalist Rags Martel about their feelings of frustration that they are unable to take Charlie to the US for treatment they believe will save his life.
Charlie, who suffers from a rare mitochondrial condition, is currently on life support at Great Ormond St Hospital. His parents believe they should be allowed to take him to a hospital in the US for ground breaking drug therapy. They have raised over £1.3million to pay for his treatment privately. But hospital doctors believe Charlie should be allowed to ‘die with dignity’.
The couple told Rags they will always be grateful to Great Ormond St Hospital for the amazing work they’ve done caring for Charlie and could never criticise their son’s care.
However, they feel their parental rights have been stripped away as the hospital is making decisions without them for their son. And they feel their son is a prisoner as they are unable to take him out of the hospital.
Chris said the situation was as soon as they stepped into Great Ormond St hospital, they lost their parental responsibility for Charlie.
Connie pointed out Charlie has spent months on a ventilator when he could have gone to the US for the treatment.
Chris said he and Connie cannot even think of the moment when the ventilator keeping Charlie alive is switched off. “I don’t even go there,” he said.
Meanwhile the couple are currently spending 24 hours a day with Charlie and making every second count – just in case the worst happens.
Following the ITV interview the couple went on BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire show and their interview was also shown on BBC News channels.
They now hope to overturn the rulings.
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