Last June, the little 14-year-old Inès had a heart attackcaused by autoimmune neuromuscular disease. She has since been in a vegetative state. Wanting to oppose the stopping of respiratory assistance for their daughter, Inès’ parents had seized the court of Nancy. The latter had made his verdict in early December, following the advice of the medical profession. Not wanting to lose hope, this time they decided to refer it to the Council of State. The outcome of this emergency procedure should be known within 48 hours.
For doctors there is no hope
Before the administrative court, two neuropediatricians and a head of the pediatric intensive care unit had nevertheless shared their expertise with the judge before he validated stopping treatment. For them, Inès is in a “persistent vegetative” state and “does not and will no longer have the ability to establish any contact.” They called the continuation of the treatments “unreasonable stubbornness”. The family is nevertheless opposed to stopping care and argues that there is no certainty. According to them, there is still a chance, however small, for her to wake up. For the mother, who put forward these religious beliefs during of the hearing, agreeing to the doctors’ decision would be “a crime.” It remains to be seen what the Council of State will decide.
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