Gary's Boring Blog

Thinking of the Wyatt Family

I cannot really imagine what the Wyatt family are going through, but I have probably thought about the issues involved more than most people. (BBC article)

The parents, of course, are not willing to give up on their daughter, the light of their life. In the latest news, they have seen development and improvement in Charlotte's condition which the medical professionals can not see. The medical professionals, whose job it is to cure disease and sickness and alleviate pain, do not want to give Charlotte any more treatment which will prolong her pain and suffering. It seems like a classic case of the logical head battling with the emotional heart.
Neither side is right, neither side is wrong. The Wyatts cannot bring themselves to accept that their daughter cannot survive and live a painless life. Accepting this fact (if it is a fact) would lead them to the conclusion that they have to follow the advice of the medical experts, and let Charlotte go.

Late in the afternoon of August 20th last year, when Rosie's condition was steadily getting worse, it became clear to me that she was not going to bounce back. Her heartbeat was erratic, and we could see Rosie's condition deteriorating on the machines. I asked the doctor how much time she had left. He told me that her heart could stop at any minute. I asked him how long she would live if taken off the machines. He said "Just a few minutes". I gently spoke to Megumi, and we agreed. We decided that, since Rosie could pass away at any minute, we would prefer her to do so in our arms than strapped down and connected to machines. We thought that she would prefer this, and I felt that Megumi needed this. I think we gave Rosie a bit of dignity for those final few moments, and allowed her to move on to the next place happy, knowing that she was loved and adored. I am sure we made the right decision, and I have no regrets.

I do not know what is best for the Wyatts. I just hope that they stay strong, and continue to keep the best interests of their daughter at heart.