And the family is arguing in court
"The way of God
Until I his departure
not accept"
- Doctor on withdrawing life support from 12-year-old boy with brain damage
And the family is arguing in court
The family of a little boy who has been unconscious since April is currently battling hospital management in a court over whether to withdraw his life support.
Archie Battersbee, 12, was found unresponsive with a spinal cord ligation in the neck after an accident at his home in Essex, UK, on April 7.
His family believes he may have taken part in a dangerous online challenge.
He was taken to the hospital where doctors say his chances of recovery are slim and he needs to be taken off life support. However, his family still believes he is 'fighting' with life as his heart is still beating.
A doctor at the Royal London Hospital told a High Court judge that his chances of recovering from the brain damage were 'extremely slim'.
An expert, who cannot be named, told Ms Justice Arbut that the lower part of Archie's brain stem was significantly damaged, as well as the upper part.
Tests since mid-April showed no signs of improvement but signs of deterioration, he said, adding that the boy's prognosis was 'very serious' and his chances of recovery 'very slim'.
"I think Archie has suffered serious brain damage and it's unlikely to be a place of recovery," he told the court.
The judge ruled that Archie must undergo further scans, including a brain stem examination, before making a final decision on Wednesday, June 8.
When Barts Health NHS Trust's legal team asked if parts of the boy's brain and spinal cord were dying and decomposing, the expert replied:
Archie's family told the judge his heart was still beating, and questioned whether the 'correct procedure' had been followed and their views taken into account.
They previously commented that the tests could have caused more damage, and asked why he was not treated to relieve the swelling in his brain.
Experts have told previous hearings they believed Archie's brain stem was dead and suffered 'irreversible' brain damage, while his mother Holly Dance said he needed more time to recover.
Speaking in May five weeks after the accident, the 46-year-old mum (pictured below) said: 'A few days ago, he started opening his eyes. Tears welled up in his eyes as his ventilator tube was replaced.
'I do not accept that he should go until God's way. I know of miracles when brain dead people come back.
'He may not be the same as he was, but if he has a chance to live a happy life after this, I would like to give it to him.
Barts Health NHS Trust's legal team had previously told Ms Justice Arbuthnot: 'Scans, once they are interpreted, can be very difficult to bear.
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