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LIVERPOOL, United Kingdom, April 26, 2018 (LifeSiteNews) – In what many are calling a "hostage note," Alfie Evans’ father has issued a new statement suggesting that the battle to take their son out of the country may be drawing to a close.
Speaking for both himself and Alfie's mom Kate James, Tom Evans expressed his gratitude for the worldwide support his cause has received, but asked supporters to “return back to your everyday lives and allow myself, Kate and Alder Hey to form a relationship, build a bridge and walk across it.”
This is the first time that Tom has read a prepared statement. He has normally spoken to the press without notes. Some Alfie supporters say that while reading the prepared statement, Tom looks as if he is reading a hostage note under duress.
Some have noticed how the statement Tom read has some of the same keywords as the statement released yesterday by Alder Hey regarding Alfie Evans.
In the statement, the hospital declared that it would “maintain our focus on safeguarding Alfie's comfort, dignity and privacy, which remains our first priority."
Tom read in his letter that he will work with his son's "treating team on a plan that provides our boy with the dignity and comfort he needs."
Both statements used the words "dignity" and "comfort" in relation to Alfie's care.
Noting that the media firestorm surrounding the case has “meant we have not been able to live our lives as we would like,” Tom revealed that the family would no longer be granting statements or interviews to the press.
The toddler was removed from his ventilator on April 23 just after 9:00 PM, but Alfie has defied everyone’s expectations by breathing on his own. Parents Tom Evans and Kate James have fought every step of the way since this time to secure oxygen, water, and food for their son. Alfie’s doctors say he has an undiagnosed neurological condition that has resulted in serious and irreparable brain damage.
In a seeming reversal from previous statements, Evans also thanked the staff of Alder Hey Children’s Hospital “every level for their dignity and professionalism during what must be an incredibly difficult time for them too,” and requested that their privacy be respected, as well.
Tom encouraged "Alfie's Army" in a Facebook post to respect his message.
"Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. Please respect this statement," he wrote.
"If this is how we get our son home, then please respect us. We ask you to continue to support, but no protesting or threats etc towards staff," he added.
Going forward, he said, the family will focus their efforts on devising a “plan that provides our boy with the dignity and comfort he needs.” Earlier today, an international legal team announced a new effort to change the jurisdiction of Alfie’s case from the United Kingdom to Italy, but Evans suggested that he was no longer seeking to transfer Alfie to Italy for treatment, but instead hoped for the freedom to bring his son home.
"I’ve had a feeling about Alfie’s condition for a long time now … he’s been off the ventilator for three and there’s been no deterioration," Evans told reporters outside the hospital. “He hasn’t awoken, he’s still a little bit weak, but what we ask for is to go home to sustain his life because there have been no neurological assessments here. There’s been no immediate care for him. It’s just nurses sitting outside the room and leaving us in the room to do what we do.”
The full letter is published below.
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