Anyone following the Ashya King story - link to his brothers latest youtube post

5littleangels · 31-08-2014 11:00am #1

Is anyone else following this story I cant find a thread on it on boards if there is one could you let me know where, thanks.

Here is the full video his dad made before Ashya was taken away by police

It looks totally different to how it has been portrayed on sky news etc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14ETQn9ZPwk

Gongoozler · 31-08-2014 11:02am

Watched the video earlier. What way is sky news covering it?

5littleangels · 31-08-2014 11:06am

Heres a video he uploaded last month.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBTrZ7ULf3A

31-08-2014 11:33am

I watched the fathers video in sky news last night. All I saw was love for a son. He was being cared for to the same level as he was in hospital despite the news reports that his battery pack would have lost it's charge, his family had fully charged pack and food.

They are not criminals, just a loving family in a situation that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1 · 31-08-2014 11:36am

I don't mean to sound hard or cruel but I found that, for a UK story involving British people in France then Spain, it had too much coverage in Ireland. I know of a similar incident years back in Germany ( a relative worked in the hospital concerned) and while it got extensive be coverage there, it was not mentioned here. Why is a UK case any different? I've probably expressed this all wrong but I feel for the family and the child and wish them well. I just don't need to pry into their lives like the media does. Its very voyeuristic.

MagicMarker · 31-08-2014 11:37am

Brendan Grumpy Between wrote: »

I just don't need to pry into their lives like the media does.

Then don't. Simples.

31-08-2014 11:46am

MagicMarker wrote: »

Then don't. Simples.

But Sareem just explained that it is getting alot of coverage on Irish news so they don't really have a choice in the matter ???

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1 · 31-08-2014 11:46am

MagicMarker wrote: »

Then don't. Simples.

It's kind of hard when it appears on every new s programme and at my age (70+) I listen to the radio most of the day. Therefore a minimum of once an hour for 8 hours plus discussions during current affairs programmes. This attitude of "don't listen to the news nor read a paper" is a cheap shot. Cover these stories if they must but beware of overkill on stories - particularly those that reflect personal stories. Had it been in this country and the public could help in tracing them then I could see the need for blanket coverage.

whirlpool · 31-08-2014 11:57am

Brendan Grumpy Between wrote: »

I don't mean to sound hard or cruel but I found that, for a UK story involving British people in France then Spain, it had too much coverage in Ireland. I know of a similar incident years back in Germany ( a relative worked in the hospital concerned) and while it got extensive be coverage there, it was not mentioned here. Why is a UK case any different? I've probably expressed this all wrong but I feel for the family and the child and wish them well. I just don't need to pry into their lives like the media does. Its very voyeuristic.

"The media" is a business. They will report anything that will get attention. There's no more to it so don't overthink it.

SeaFields · 31-08-2014 12:07pm

Very sad story.

I've read about this story across a few different news sites but I have yet to read on what grounds the parents were arrested. Has anyone seen that mentioned?

Aimeee · 31-08-2014 12:31pm

Very sad story and I think an an indication of how you are at the mercy of the medical profession when push comes to shove.
I'm sure there's more to this story but I have heard of situations with other families where they didn't agree with treatment for serious illness believing that the consequences of treatment outweigh the chance of a good outcome. Unless you have easy access to an alternative treatment, ie such as that mentioned (proton beam) your hands are tied really.
To be threatened with not seeing their son, if that is true, extremely bad form and imo this should be looked into. Who would risk that??
I can think of similar situations that I've been in with medics much less dramatic, and no life at risk thankfully, but unless you are in the know, or have someone advocating on your behalf it can be a very intimidating and lonely place.
Someone said to me once you live with the decisions you make for your children not the medics or the nurses giving out the advice etc. You rely on everyone wanting the best possible outcome but sometimes there is more then one way to fix things.
I know nothing about the therapies/treatments involved in this case, and please God will never have to, but I'm just saying it highlights an issue that arises probably more often than we realise on a less dramatic scale.

5littleangels · 31-08-2014 2:48pm

It is just so sad. They say they were arrested on the grounds of neglect

I can see just by watching the videos how much they love their little boy. He has stage 4 brain cancer so he really has a huge chance of not surviving at all despite any treatment offered its just beyond comprehension that in what may be his final days / weeks / months he will not be with his parents as they have been denied the right to be with him it makes me feel sick just thinking about how terrible their situation is right now. Hopefully the authorities sort everything out soon and the family is reunited and allowed / offered access to a medical team they can trust and discuss treatment options openly with.

Gongoozler · 31-08-2014 3:19pm

I can see both sides pretty equally here - I get that the parents want to go with a treatment they believe will work. The hospital have to do what they can do. The boy has to be treated for an illness and the parents are interfering with that, which is illegal. Looking stuff up on the Internet is not a substitute for proper medical care as far as most people, and these doctors are concerned. They've taken him out of hospital and away from care that he needs, so technically yeah that is reckless. And the police should be involved.

5littleangels · 31-08-2014 8:19pm

latest youtube video from Ashya Kings brother posted just a few moments ago

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=vYSKyY12LEg&app=desktop

5littleangels · 31-08-2014 8:30pm

http://www.diariosur.es/axarquia/201408/31/parece-locura-pero-tiene-20140831151927.html

this is a from a spanish page a video of his parents handcuffed being led into a police station.

EuskalHerria · 31-08-2014 8:36pm

So Medical professionals, who have studied for years to get to their position, have recommended a course of medical treatment.

An expectedly distressed and emotional father hits google and is then surprised when medical professionals do not take on board 'advice' found on forums etc.

I can just imagine the people who are arguing that this man, whose only qualification on this important subject is being the father, would be up in arms if this child dies due to NHS negligence in letting an unqualified father overtake his sons medical treatment.

gctest50 · 31-08-2014 8:42pm

EuskalHerria wrote: »

So Medical professionals, who have studied for years to get to their position, have recommended a course of medical treatment.

An expectedly distressed and emotional father hits google and is then surprised when medical professionals do not take on board 'advice' found on forums etc.

I can just imagine the people who are arguing that this man, whose only qualification on this important subject is being the father, would be up in arms if this child dies due to NHS negligence in letting an unqualified father overtake his sons medical treatment.

He believes there is a better treatment available - the NHS are currently building a centre to provide the same treatment

his child can't wait that long so ....... bring the child to where the treatment is available

same thing goes on all day every day

Both proton therapy and traditional radiation treat malignancies the same way: by inhibiting the growth of cancer cells. The largest difference between the two is that proton therapy releases the bulk of its energy at one specific, concentrated area — radiation goes exactly where it’s supposed to go. Because of this, physicians are able to act more aggressively, increasing the radiation dosage while limiting damage to healthy tissue and organs

©2013 Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute, an affiliate of Hampton University

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hatrickpatrick · 31-08-2014 8:47pm

The UK terrifies me with its strong belief in the state's right to micro-manage the lives of citizens. At the end of the day it should be the individual's call, not the state's.

I remember a case last year of a foreign woman having a depression episode due to not ta meds so they forced her to have a C-section and adopted her baby in the UK, robbing it of its nationality and family. I remember another case of an elderly woman being "abducted" from hospital by her family because she was clearly near the end of her life and wanted to spend it at home instead of in a clinical environment. None of these things should be able to be overridden by the "best interests" brigade - my choices about my life may not always be the best, but they'll be mine and not somebody else's.

EuskalHerria · 31-08-2014 8:59pm

gctest50 wrote: »

He believes there is a better treatment available

In this particular case, what does it matter if he 'believes' there is better treatment available? How is he qualified to make that judgement.

Also does that justify removing the child from the hospital, with access to round the clock care, to household with no medical professionals present?

his child can't wait that long so ....... bring the child to where the treatment is

Bring the child to his house? Please explain how that is an improvement? I could understand the correct procedures being out in place to organise a safe transfer. But this 'wait in the house' nonsense is clearly not safe and ultimately not in the best interests of the child. An emotionally vulnerable father should not be encouraged due to misplaced sympathy.

Gongoozler · 31-08-2014 9:00pm

gctest50 wrote: »

He believes there is a better treatment available - the NHS are currently building a centre to provide the same treatment

his child can't wait that long so ....... bring the child to where the treatment is available

same thing goes on all day every day

Except the father himself even says that it's not just that they won't or can't, but most importantly that they say it won't help. This is, presumably, the reason it is what it is.

EuskalHerria · 31-08-2014 9:04pm

hatrickpatrick wrote: »

The UK terrifies me with its strong belief in the state's right to micro-manage the lives of citizens. At the end of the day it should be the individual's call, not the state's.

The individual is a child, so how can a child be expected to "make the call"?

Also it's not micro managing the lives of all citizens. It's stepping in to ensure the welfare of the child from parents who have consciously removed him from a safe hospital environment. The child is not the 'property' of the father and cannot be put at harm because of the wishes if a potentially emotionally unstable and medically unqualified parent.

gctest50 · 31-08-2014 9:05pm

Gongoozler wrote: »

Except the father himself even says that it's not just that they won't or can't, but most importantly that they say it won't help. This is, presumably, the reason it is what it is.

medulloblastoma ?

Reducing toxicity from craniospinal irradiation: using proton beams to treat medulloblastoma in young children.

PURPOSE: We report on a radiation treatment technique that has reduced the dose to critical normal structures in children with medulloblastoma.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15701271

Gongoozler · 31-08-2014 9:11pm

gctest50 wrote: »

medulloblastoma ?

You do realise he said that they said that.... and not me?

gctest50 · 31-08-2014 9:13pm

EuskalHerria wrote: »

The individual is a child, so how can a child be expected to "make the call"?

Also it's not micro managing the lives of all citizens. It's stepping in to ensure the welfare of the child from parents who have consciously removed him from a safe hospital environment. The child is not the 'property' of the father and cannot be put at harm because of the wishes if a potentially emotionally unstable and medically unqualified parent.

like this lot ? t5 l5 its all much the same sure

where it was viewed by the consultant neurosurgeon, who realised the implant had been inserted at the wrong part of the spine.

http://www.scotsman.com/news/health/surgeon-botched-cancer-sufferer-back-operation-1-3516203

31-08-2014 9:15pm

What I don't understand is how was a European arrest warrant issued??
These people didn't kidnap their own child, they are his guardians, they took him out of hospital.
The hospital were not legal guardians of the child, parents were within their rights.

I don't understand how quickly an arrest warrant was issued in this case when you hear of numerous parents taking kids out of their jurisdiction, against the wishes of the parent with legal custody but yet it takes years and years to try and get the kids back.

Even if someone committed a serious offence, an european arrest warrant is never issued this quick to bring people back!

Gongoozler · 31-08-2014 9:18pm

bubblypop wrote: »

What I don't understand is how was a European arrest warrant issued??
These people didn't kidnap their own child, they are his guardians, they took him out of hospital.
The hospital were not legal guardians of the child, parents were within their rights.

I don't understand how quickly an arrest warrant was issued in this case when you hear of numerous parents taking kids out of their jurisdiction, against the wishes of the parent with legal custody but yet it takes years and years to try and get the kids back.

Even if someone committed a serious offence, an european arrest warrant is never issued this quick to bring people back!

Probably something to do with the dying child.

And when you take your dying child out of treatment against the advice of the doctors, being the legal guardian means diddly squat.

EuskalHerria · 31-08-2014 9:26pm

gctest50 wrote: »

like this lot ? t5 l5 its all much the same sure

Yes because highlighting one of the few cases that are subject to difficulties, mistakes or mishaps suddenly overtakes the vast majority of procedures that are simple, secure and happen without a problem.
I heard a plane crashed once, therefore I never get on planes style of logic.

Also are you suggesting that if you became very ill, that you wouldn't seek help from medical professionals?

Karl Stein · 31-08-2014 9:27pm

EuskalHerria wrote: »

An expectedly distressed and emotional father

He seemed quite calm and reasonable to me.

hits google and is then surprised when medical professionals do not take on board 'advice' found on forums etc.

You have no idea of the level of knowledge the Father had attained nor do you know who he might have consulted on the issue.

I'd imagine people can become quite knowledgeable about a medical issue if they're deeply affected by it and determined enough to do the research.

31-08-2014 9:37pm

Gongoozler wrote: »

Probably something to do with the dying child.

And when you take your dying child out of treatment against the advice of the doctors, being the legal guardian means diddly squat.

Well that's not entirely true, you can be sure if it happened here that the HSE would have to go to the courts first.
I think something like this has happened here before.
I'm all for the welfare of children, I just think this was done amazingly quickly.

EuskalHerria · 31-08-2014 9:37pm

Karl Stein wrote: »

He seemed quite calm and reasonable to me.

Does a father need to be screaming, angry or loud to be feeling emotional? Does it need to be transparently displayed?
Given the circumstances, the complications and the internet telling him there are better procedures elsewhere. Can it not be assumed the father is naturally emotional and possibly distressed?

Also in a video where he is trying to make a case for himself. A calm appearance could be adapted to help the case he is trying to make.

You have no idea of the level of knowledge the Father had attained nor do you know who he might have consulted on the issue.

I'd imagine people can become quite knowledgeable about a medical issue if they're deeply affected by it and determined enough to do the research.

In the video the father mentioned 'searching the internet' and 'looking at discussion forums'. If he was in anyway further qualified than that surely he would have mentioned it. Especially considering the video was published to put forward the impression he knows what he's doing. There was no better platform or opportunity for him to highlight and declare his qualifications in this subject.

Would you be willing to place the life of a child at the hands of a man who MAY have researched enough? It seems like an incredibly long stretch to me.

In this case, I imagine, had the child not been presented to the hospital there would have been limited actions available to the authorities. Due to the fact the child was removed from the hospital, the hospital has a duty if care to the child.

My name is URL · 31-08-2014 9:45pm

EuskalHerria wrote: »

Also in a video where he is trying to make a case for himself. A calm appearance could be adapted to help the case he is trying to make.

It's a pity the authorities and media didn't take a 'calm' approach, instead of instantly deeming him to be a scumbag kidnapper intent on ending the life of his kid.

Gongoozler · 31-08-2014 9:45pm

bubblypop wrote: »

Well that's not entirely true, you can be sure if it happened here that the HSE would have to go to the courts first.
I think something like this has happened here before.
I'm all for the welfare of children, I just think this was done amazingly quickly.

You're saying it's not true but following it with something that doesn't have any bearing on whether it is true or not. And, not that we're talking about the same legal system, but yeah I'm pretty sure that I've seen very fast moving court cases come up on behalf of the HSE. Will Google tomorrow

31-08-2014 9:53pm

Gongoozler wrote: »

You're saying it's not true but following it with something that doesn't have any bearing on whether it is true or not. And, not that we're talking about the same legal system, but yeah I'm pretty sure that I've seen very fast moving court cases come up on behalf of the HSE. Will Google tomorrow

Yes, the court cases are fast, but I've never heard of a European arrest warrant being issued so quick, and I haven't heard of any court cases in England regarding this case.

Yes its different legal systems but we are all bound to the same European system, are we not?
Could England issue a European arrest warrant for someone in this country? If so why didn't they do it for the many suspects of terrorist activity in England living here?
Could we issue one as quick for someone in England? I don't think so.

Yes, a European alert maybe, on the grounds of child welfare, but I think its a stretch too far to issue an arrest warrant.
Just seems to make a very hard and upsetting situation worse for the family.
How does arresting the parents sort anything out? The child is now in hospital in Spain. What will they do now? Demand he be returned to England?

Karl Stein · 31-08-2014 9:55pm

EuskalHerria wrote: »

Can it not be assumed the father is naturally emotional and possibly distressed?

That would be an assumption. Nothing more. His Wife and Son were also with him - are they too distressed and emotional?

In the video the father mentioned 'searching the internet' and 'looking at discussion forums'.

Again we have no real idea of what level of knowledge the Father had developed on the issue or that he might have been consulting with other experts.

In this case, I imagine, had the child not been presented to the hospital there would have been limited actions available to the authorities. Due to the fact the child was removed from the hospital, the hospital has a duty if care to the child.

At present it appears the authorities over-reacted.

If he went to a foreign country where it was advised he should have the treatment he sought do you think he should be prevented from going there with his son?

iguana · 31-08-2014 10:32pm

My name is URL wrote: »

It's a pity the authorities and media didn't take a 'calm' approach, instead of instantly deeming him to be a scumbag kidnapper intent on ending the life of his kid.

What really struck me about a lot of the reports I read yesterday is the amount of time it was mentioned that the family were Jehovah's Witnesses. So many reports went something like, 'It's not believed that the King's have taken their son from the hospital because they are JW. Members of the religious movement of JW object to blood transfusions. But that's probably not the issue here. Though they are JW. We know they are JW because the brother is on a JW forum on the internet and the family attend JW meetings. Did we mention that they are JW? It's probably not importnat but we've only mentioned it 8 times so far so should really go for an even 10. JW, JW.'

I really felt there was an attempt to paint the family as religious fundamentalists who would rather their child die than avail of medical treatment, without actually saying that. If the public were worried about that, it would definitely make people more likely to give information to the police. Ironic as it turns out that rather than crazy luddites, the Kings wanted to change their son's medical care team in order to avail of scientific advancements not yet available in the UK.

My name is URL · 31-08-2014 10:39pm

iguana wrote: »

What really struck me about a lot of the reports I read yesterday is the amount of time it was mentioned that the family were Jehovah's Witnesses. So many reports went something like, 'It's not believed that the King's have taken their son from the hospital because they are JW. Members of the religious movement of JW object to blood transfusions. But that's probably not the issue here. Though they are JW. We know they are JW because the brother is on a JW forum on the internet and the family attend JW meetings. Did we mention that they are JW? It's probably not importnat but we've only mentioned it 8 times so far so should really go for an even 10. JW, JW.'

I really felt there was an attempt to paint the family as religious fundamentalists who would rather their child die than avail of medical treatment, without actually saying that. If the public were worried about that, it would definitely make people more likely to give information to the police. Ironic as it turns out that rather than crazy luddites, the Kings wanted to change their son's medical care team in order to avail of scientific advancements not yet available in the UK.

It's ****ed up whichever way you look at it. Yet another attempt from British authorities to use social concerns as means of overriding personal liberty.

I know I'll be called either a pinko liberal or mental right-winger for that and I don't even care anymore. People argued in favor of UK authorities when they forced a woman to have a c-section and then took her child away, so they'll support them when stuff like this happens too.

EuskalHerria · 31-08-2014 10:48pm

My name is URL wrote: »

It's a pity the authorities and media didn't take a 'calm' approach, instead of instantly deeming him to be a scumbag kidnapper intent on ending the life of his kid.

I won't be an apologist for the media and I refuse to believe the authorities used those labels.

However the medias labels don't act as justification for removing the child from a hospital and denying him the care he requires.

EuskalHerria · 31-08-2014 11:04pm

Karl Stein wrote: »

That would be an assumption. Nothing more. His Wife and Son were also with him - are they too distressed and emotional?

Given what is currently going on with their son/sibling's condition and what is happening in the media. That they are not entirely focused and it's safe to assume they are emotional? Not all assumptions are subjective. If they care enough to do something as drastic as this, then surely that care can turn to concern as quickly which would cause emotional issues?

Again we have no real idea of what level of knowledge the Father had developed on the issue or that he might have been consulting with other experts.

Again, had the father any qualifications to justify removing his son from the care of trained and qualified professionals. He would have volunteered this information. Unless he is saving the best til last it clear this man is not qualified to decide what is best for his son.

You see, Parenthood does not magically qualify someone in fields of expertise that are relevant to a certain situation.

At present it appears the authorities over-reacted.

If he went to a foreign country where it was advised he should have the treatment he sought do you think he should be prevented from going there with his son?

No I don't think he should be prevented from going abroad and getting alternative treatment. However I think the correct provisions should be put in place to ensure such a move is done correctly. Clearly removing a child from a medical institution to a house is not ensuring the welfare of the child between treatments.

Neyite · 31-08-2014 11:10pm

Similar issues with medical experts overriding the wishes of the patient happen here too, and are upheld in court.

Here, a judge reckons that a midwife has the necessary medical knowledge to do whatever they like without consent of the patient.

A lot of the time, these kind of maternity cases are dismissed as some hysterical woman moaning that she didn't get the hippy-dippy birth she wanted. But this ruling may have repercussions to medical care outside of maternity services before long.

01-09-2014 6:18pm

Ashya's older brother being interviewed on Ch4 right now. Ashya has had no immediate family around him at all since parents were arrested. Older brother looking after younger siblings and due to media, cannot leave their house. Family and friends bring them groceries.

The parents haven't even been charged with anything. Yet they are not allowed to be with their seriously ill son.

The whole thing has been managed so badly by the authorities. Lets just hope that all this media attention helps in getting Ashya the treatment they were looking for.

My name is URL · 01-09-2014 6:24pm

Strawberry Milkshake wrote: »

The parents haven't even been charged with anything. Yet they are not allowed to be with their seriously ill son.

The parents are in jail for at least 3 days because the case was adjourned until then and they were refused bail. The siblings cannot visit the kid because the kid is in hospital under armed guard.

It's an insane situation. British police should be ashamed of themselves for continuing to seek an extradition order. And the NHS for creating a sensationalised shitstorm by claiming that the kid would be dead within 24 hours if it wasn't returned to the hospital.

Fiolina · 01-09-2014 6:39pm

My name is URL wrote: »

The parents are in jail for at least 3 days because the case was adjourned until then and they were refused bail. The siblings cannot visit the kid because the kid is in hospital under armed guard.

It's an insane situation. British police should be ashamed of themselves for continuing to seek an extradition order. And the NHS for creating a sensationalised shitstorm by claiming that the kid would be dead within 24 hours if it wasn't returned to the hospital.

I haven't read all the posts here but I think it is absolutely heartbreaking that a little five year old boy has been left totally alone. Why the hell can't the brothers or sister visit? I can't even begin to imagine the agony the family are going through. It's inhumane imo

JP Liz V1 · 01-09-2014 9:40pm

Poor little Ashya King, hope he fully recovers it is so sad to think of him all alone in hospital at that age

volchitsa · 01-09-2014 11:11pm

Another thing that really bothers me with the media coverage is a couple of articles basically mud slinging about the family not being friendly to neighbours and the kids making noise at the swimming pool - I mean WTF???

I think it was the Irish Independent that had those, if it had been in a UK paper I'd have suspected they were flogging the official line, but why an Irish paper? What line are they trying to sell us and why?

Horrible, really horrible. Here's one, but there was another earlier, iirc.
http://www.independent.ie/opinion/the-irish-writer-who-lived-next-door-to-the-family-of-ashya-king-30551166.html

The One Doctor · 01-09-2014 11:19pm

Interesting. I recently read an IT article about this issue that explains the whole problem very well:

Hopes for sick children who go abroad may be ‘unrealistic’

riffmongous · 01-09-2014 11:26pm

volchitsa wrote: »

Another thing that really bothers me with the media coverage is a couple of articles basically mud slinging about the family not being friendly to neighbours and the kids making noise at the swimming pool - I mean WTF???

I think it was the Irish Independent that had those, if it had been in a UK paper I'd have suspected they were flogging the official line, but why an Irish paper? What line are they trying to sell us and why?

Horrible, really horrible. Here's one, but there was another earlier, iirc.
http://www.independent.ie/opinion/the-irish-writer-who-lived-next-door-to-the-family-of-ashya-king-30551166.html

Wow! How does crap like that get published?

01-09-2014 11:26pm

So that journalist said they didn't intergrate but were only on passing acquaintance with the neighbours (including her) but she then goes on to say they were in Haiti and the Dominican Republic for a year.

How the fook would she know if they never said more than hello to her???

I get what others mean now, when they talk about crappy journalism skills at the indo.

iguana · 01-09-2014 11:42pm

The One Doctor wrote: »

Interesting. I recently read an IT article about this issue that explains the whole problem very well:

Hopes for sick children who go abroad may be ‘unrealistic’

Absolutely there is a lot of false hope when it comes to foreign treatments. But it's only natural for the parents of a dying child to clutch at a treatment that gives their child an infinitesimal chance of surviving, because an infinitesimal chance is better than no chance. About a month ago facebook newsfeeds, a huge amount of radio airplay and numerous adshell posters all over the place were all about the My Boy Gavin campaign to help finance American treatment for an Irish boy suffering from what is very likely to be terminal cancer. I don't recall the police being sent after that family.

volchitsa · 02-09-2014 7:33am

Strawberry Milkshake wrote: »

I get what others mean now, when they talk about crappy journalism skills at the indo.

That's exactly what I thought too - I'd always tended to think there was maybe a bit of snobbery in that sort of comment (that it really meant sort of "not the Irish Times" or "not a UK newspaper") but the level of "journalism" in that left me gobsmacked. It's not about the vocabulary or grammar, it's that it's a pure gossip sheet.

Back on-topic, I do think there seems to have been a complete breakdown in dialogue with the parents which is hard to explain. The reports when they were looking for him said his feeding
-system batteries were about to run out, but the video the father out up online showed the system plugged into the mains. So the hospital were not being entirely truthful to the public (and presumably the police). What else are they lying about?

laserlad2010 · 02-09-2014 9:12am

iguana wrote: »

Absolutely there is a lot of false hope when it comes to foreign treatments. But it's only natural for the parents of a dying child to clutch at a treatment that gives their child an infinitesimal chance of surviving, because an infinitesimal chance is better than no chance. About a month ago facebook newsfeeds, a huge amount of radio airplay and numerous adshell posters all over the place were all about the My Boy Gavin campaign to help finance American treatment for an Irish boy suffering from what is very likely to be terminal cancer. I don't recall the police being sent after that family.

Gavin Glynne (?correct spelling) went over there against the wishes of the treating oncologist. That treatment was ABSOLUTELY not proven on a global scale, it was being done by one doctor in one hospital in America.

In contrast, Ireland and the UK are part of a global network of hundreds of top paediatric oncology centres who ALL use the same protocols. The paediatric oncology treatment here is world class. The HSE have never refused funding for a treatment THAT HAS BEEN RECOMMENDED by the treating oncologist. GGs treatment was NOT recommended, therefore the HSE rightly refused to pay for it.

Similarly, in Asha Kings case you need to consider THE FACTS. The official statement from the centre referred to "experience" showing that proton beam therapy "can be effective". No mention of research, peer review, international evidence etc. The NHS would never refuse to pay for a treatment that has been shown to work.

These parents took their sick child who had just had brain surgery out of the hospital to an apartment in Spain. If they had taken him after he had been discharged, fine. Their decision. But to take a child from a hospital bed? No nursing or medical care? Negligent.

Yes these parent have their childrens' best interests at heart, but children die from cancer, not all can be saved, and sometimes the best decision is to allow a child to die with dignity and not full of tubes in a foreign hospital.

Dislike away, its the reality of paediatric oncology.

volchitsa · 02-09-2014 9:21am

Yes, I think no-one would deny that the family are quite likely to be fooling themselves that this treatment will save their child, and of course it must be remembered that the hospital can't release medical details which might (possibly) prove their case.

The problem I have though is with how communication between the hospital and the family got to this stage, and with the fact that the international arrest warrant of the parents appears to have been obtained using dubious arguments. At best.
That makes me think the hospital, or someone on the team at least, may not have been as interested in maintaining communication with the family as with proving themselves right.

Anyone following the Ashya King story - link to his brothers latest youtube post

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