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OMEGA TV UK

Boy’s Astonishing Recovery from Off Life Support Against Medical Expectation as He Goes Home to His Parents

2 min read

At four years, a boy living in the UK made medical history when he became the first known patient to recover after being taken off life support. Given the poor prognosis, his condition improved and he went home with his parents.

This is a very powerful story which deals with sensitive issues, such as terminal illness, decisions at the end of life, and the role of parents, doctors, and courts when these critical moments take place.

The identity of the boy, known only as “NR” for purposes of confidentiality, had his life support removed after an order was granted by the UK High Court. The doctors testified that artificial ventilation had no therapeutic benefit, and NR’s condition due to critical brain abnormalities was deteriorating. Based on the medical opinion, the court granted the removal of life-sustaining interventions.

But, in a dramatic turn of events, NR began recovering soon after the life support was removed. Justice Poole, who presided over the case, said it was a “delight” to see that the boy was doing well at home with his “devoted parents.”

“I do not wish to downplay the emotional hardships endured by Mr. and Mrs. R or the challenges NR still faces,” Poole said. “But it is a wonderful surprise that NR has defied expectations. He no longer requires invasive treatments and is now home in the loving care of his parents,” the judge said to BBC.

The months have seen NR’s recovery continued. To play in the park, feel the wind in the hair, and the sun’s warmth become his realities now. These improvements have seen Justice Poole revisit the earlier decision granting doctors legal immunity in the event of withholding treatments such as CPR, deemed merely to prolong life of suffering.

“A decision to withdraw life-sustaining treatment is not a decision to bring about the death of a patient, but a recognition that continuing treatment is not in their best interest,” Poole said. During the original ruling, the court had been informed that NR’s only discernible comfort came from the touch of his parents.

Now, NR is no longer in need of ventilation and has more recently been taken off the urinary catheter. His future treatment will be no different from any other child’s considering his earlier medical decisions do not have a bearing on the extent of care availed to him.

The mother says he deserves a chance at life after fighting so hard.
Recovery Muddles Future Legal and Medical Decisions over End-of-Life Care.

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