I don't know all of the issues regarding this story, but what I have read, makes me sick.
Baby Joseph, is a Canadian infant whose medical care has sparked national controversy. arrived at a St. Louis hospital Sunday night for treatment.
Joseph Maraachli is 13 months old and has a progressively deteriorating neurological condition. He had been receiving medical care at Ontario's London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) since October 2010 and has been on a ventilator and receiving nourishment from a feeding tube. This hospital has performed repeated neurological assessments, and determined that the baby is in a vegetative state and will not recover.
In January, a Canadian Superior Court judge ruled that the hospital could remove Baby Joseph from the ventilator and issued a "do not resuscitate" order. Joseph's parents have refused to consent, saying they wanted their son to receive a tracheostomy and be transferred home on a ventilator.
I can empathize with what they are wanting to do. In 1980 my brother was allowed to leave the hospital with terminal melanoma cancer and come home to at least be somewhere he felt comfortable. He passed away in our home soon after this... but at least he was surrounded by loved ones.
Luckily Rev. Frank Pavone, director of Priests for Life, went to Canada on Sunday night and assisted in having Baby Joseph airlifted to Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center in St. Louis, which has agreed to evaluate him and provide treatment.
"If there is a chance this boy can live, we have to explore every option," said Pavone in a statement.
I most definitely believe in miracles, so if there is a chance, let's see what happens.
