Parents in court over baby's right to life

Susan Freeborn is representing the mother of a one year old severely disabled boy in a right to life case.
The boy was born with a rare neuromuscular condition and is reliant on medical support to survive. His condition weakens his muscles making it difficult for him to move or impossible to breathe on his own.

Both parents, in their twenties, are in court arguing opposing sides. His mother supports the doctors, who want to take him off the ventilator. However, the boy's father believes that with adequate care the boy can have a decent life.

Lawyers acting for the father say that the child is able to see, hear, feel and recognise his parents as the condition does not affect the brain. They argue that a simple tracheostomy would enable him to leave hospital and be cared for at home.

The hospital claims that his quality of life would be so poor that it would not be fair to perform this surgery. Should the hospital win, it would be the first time a British court has ruled against the wishes of a parent of a child not suffering from brain damage.

The case continues in the High Court this week.