Alfie Evans’ dad posts heartbreaking tribute to ‘mummy and daddy’s hero’ on one-year anniversary of toddler’s death
Doctors said it would be in the 'best interests' of little Alfie to turn his life support off
ALFIE Evans' dad posted a heartbreaking tribute to his "hero" son on the one-year anniversary of the toddler's death.
Little Alfie died on April 28 last year despite his parents launching a passionate legal case against doctors who advised they should turn off his life support.
Parents Tom Evans and Kate James took their battle to the Supreme Court after a series of courts agreed with Alder Hey Hospital that Alfie "could not be saved" but their bid was dismissed.
Alfie's life support was turned off in April last year, with the tot passing away five days later.
In a heartbreaking message one year on from his son's death, dad Tom said: "1 year today you took your last breath at our side, one year today since I gave you your last breaths, one year ago today since we listens to Kingston town for the last time,one year ago today me and your mummy lost a huge part of us!
"You Alfie, you was our rock,our future our life. You could still be here!
"You should still be here! We miss you everyday and talk about you to your little brother!
"We miss your touch, your kisses, your cuddles, everything about you we miss and always will!
"You was a very special boy Alfie and always will be. MUMMY AND DADDY'S HERO ALWAYS. We love you infinity."
Alfie was born with a degenerative brain condition and had been in a semi-vegetative state since December 2016 at Alder Hey hospital in Liverpool.
Mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome (MDS) refers to a group of disorders that cause affected tissues to suffer from a significant drop in mitochondrial DNA.
The DNA is found in the mitochondria of cells - an organelle found in most cells in which respiration and energy production occur.
'WE MISS YOU EVERYDAY'
Doctors advised that it would be "unkind" and "futile" to continue treatment of the little boy, with Alfie's parents launching a string of legal bids.
Dad Tom even flew to Rome to meet the Pope in a desperate bid.
Pope Francis tweeted afterwards: “I am deeply moved by the death of little Alfie. I pray especially for his parents as God the Father receives him in his tender embrace.”
But his life support was switched off despite pleas at the High Court, Court of Appeal, Supreme Court and European Court of Human Rights. Alfie died on April 28.
Four months after Alfie died, the couple welcomed the birth of their second son, Thomas.
Family's fight
DECEMBER 2016: Alfie, seven months, is taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital after suffering seizures and goes into coma.
DECEMBER 2017: Doctors say continued life-support treatment is not in the tot’s best interests.
FEBRUARY 2018: High Court judge Mr Justice Hayden rules in hospital’s favour and says further treatment is futile.
MARCH: Parents Tom and Kate mount a challenge but decision is upheld.
APRIL: Supreme Court justices and the European Court of Human Rights reject a bid from Tom and Kate to consider Alfie’s case.
APRIL 28: Alfie dies after life-support is switched off. His parents say: “We are heartbroken.”
AUGUST 6: The couple’s second child, Thomas Evans, is born.
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Alfie's case saw an overwhelming influx of support, with supporters dubbed "Alfie's Army" staying outside Alder Hey hospital.
The case was similar to that of Charlie Gard, who died in July 2017.
Doctors at Great Ormond Street Hospital had said Charlie should be allowed to die with dignity and applied for permission to have his ventilator switched off.
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