News

By Gudrun Schultz

LONDON, United Kingdom, October 19, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Parents who fought a two-year legal battle to keep their severely disabled infant daughter on ventilation are being denied the right to take her home, after the now-separated couple were judged “unfit” to provide the necessary care.

Charlotte Wyatt was born three months premature with severe brain and lung damage, weighing only one pound and measuring less than five inches long at birth. Her parents fought unsuccessfully to prevent the Portsmouth Hospital from issuing a “do not resuscitate” order against the child if she should have a breathing crisis—doctors said the child’s condition would not improve and she would never leave the hospital.

Despite the judge’s decision to side against the parents and permit the order, Charlotte went on to show “remarkable” improvement and is now able to be released from hospital care. Her parents, however, have been rejected by doctors as unable to provide the three-year-old with the care she requires. Charlotte needs constant oxygen and receives her nutrition through a feeding tube.

Darren Wyatt, 34, and his wife Debbie, 25, separated in January. They have three other children; Christina, 11 months, David, two, and Daniel, four. Mr. Wyatt, who said he visits Charlotte almost every day, told the Daily Mail Social Services have been looking for a foster home for Charlotte since February.

“She has been well enough to leave for months, but because Debbie and I are not together she hasn’t got a stable home to go to,” Mr. Wyatt said. “I have offered to take her, and if I had the proper care package and people helping me then I could do it—but they said “No” because it would be too much.”

“I have been saying this ever since February, but they just don’t believe that I could offer her the proper care. I don’t understand why they can’t at least try it.”

Darren was hospitalized after taking a drug overdose following the couple’s separation. He is attempting to obtain a reassessment in order to be cleared as a suitable caregiver for Charlotte, according to a statement on the family’s website dedicated to the child.

Charlotte’s doctor, in a recent letter to her father, said the child is able to appreciate her environment and take pleasure in it, despite the limitations of her interactive ability.

“For example, she seems happy on hearing specific types of music and enjoys anticipation games such as “Round and round the garden, like a teddy bear.”

In an earlier letter, he stated, “On a day-to-day basis her care could now be given outside hospital. With potential for quite good life quality, I would regard a more natural, stable and stimulating environment as the highest priority for Charlotte.”

Alex Schadenberg, executive director of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, said parents should have the right to defend their child’s right to be alive, saying society needs to show greater commitment to the care of severely disabled children.

“They should not be giving up on these children—children are capable of really improving,” Schadenberg said.

“Not so long ago, polio was a major problem. These children would be on ventilation for ever, but guess what, society didn’t give up on them.”

Stress over battling with the medical community for Charlotte’s care has been a central factor in the couple’s marriage difficulties, supporter Ann Widdecombe, Conservative MP, told the Daily Mail.

“Doctors spent the first two years of that child’s life trying to end it. The amazing thing is that the family kept going for as long as they did.”

The Wyatt family continues to ask supporters for prayers.

Visit Charlotte’s website:
https://charlottewyatt.blogspot.com/

Court to Hear Debate Over Hospital’s No-Resuscitation Rule for Preemie
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2004/sep/04092806.html

Court Sides Against Parents: Resuscitation Not in Interests of Infant Girl
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2004/oct/04100706.html