Archie Battersbee

There is evidence that 2 other kids have died doing the same thing in the states and the same corporate common denominator in those cases. Shall we wait for other tragedies whilst there is no evidence that kids are deciding to put ligatures around their necks of their own volition and by independent thought?
 
Lots of thoughtful comments on this thread.

My first thought is that it isn't simply the courts that decide what happens; it's the courts informed by medical experts.
As you say, this must be every parents' worst nightmare, and I cannot comprehend what they are going through. At the same time, I find myself thinking this is why they should not have the final decision: who could possibly make a rational decision in those circumstances? Although I don't blame them in the least for this, I suspect they are now acting more in their own interests (i.e. convincing themselves they've done everything) rather than in Archie's, even if they don't see it like this. I'm not accusing them of being selfish: their mental health is important too and, for their well-being, I do see a point in going through this process, but I can't believe it's in Archie's best interest.



"Naturally" is an odd way of viewing it; his body is only alive now due to artificial intervention. I don't want to comment on details of an individual case without first hand knowledge, but we can ventilate a body by pumping air in and out of the lungs; we can provide all the nutrition needs intravenously, and we can make the heart beat artificially through a number of pacing devices. None of this is natural. The ventilation in particular can often be mistaken by relatives for the patient trying to breath themselves. Ultimately, the chance for a "natural" death ended with the attempt to save his life.

As has been said, it's a horribly difficult situation. I do feel the courts have made the correct decision. However, his parents do need to feel they've done all they can too.
Agreed.
As soon as he was ventilated the chances of a natural passing slimmed immensely.
The mother refers to her son 'grabbing her hand' could that not just be a random 'tic' reaction of the nervous system? I don't know.
If the doctors, and I'm fairly sure it'll be a few of them with the same decision, have decided he's brain stem dead then sadly it seems all that's happening is the delaying the inevitable.

It's a sad story as to how this little boy got into such a tragic scenario in the first place, the family will never know if it was indeed an online game or a genuine suicide attempt. Horrific not knowing for certain.
 
There is evidence that 2 other kids have died doing the same thing in the states and the same corporate common denominator in those cases. Shall we wait for other tragedies whilst there is no evidence that kids are deciding to put ligatures around their necks of their own volition and by independent thought?

Yes there is and TikTok should be held accountable for it, but there is no evidence that Archie was taking part in it. The way Archie was found is not the same and there was no attempt to film it as is part of the craze.

Archie's mother explains how he was found in this interview. She only took that position after being told about later, it's all tragically sad and I get why she would, but throwing blame around without evidence helps noone.
 
The whole situation is very upsetting, difficult to read. I have a 12 year old boy, even looks like him. Can't begin to imagine the suffering and upset for everyone, family and medical staff. Don't want to make any judgement. Just say a prayer for all.
 
however reading some of the backing the Mother has received from some Christian groups is interesting.

I don't want to go down this route much as it seems a bit of a side issue in the circumstances. However, following the hostility towards vaccination from some religious groups, it is a little galling for religious groups to be pressing for more invasive intervention. That makes a huge assumption; I know not all religious groups are the same, or share the same attitudes towards medicine. It is, however, my gut reaction to their involvement.

My only thought is it seems to be happening too quickly. There seems to be little time between court cases and appeals. One thing the parents should be afforded is time.

A couple of thoughts on this.
This is the culmination of a process that has been going on since April.
Second, I don't think more time is really useful to the family. The evidence hadn't changed and their case hasn't changed. I'd feel it's in their interests to be resolved quickly too, though I appreciate they may not see it like this.

Having had a quick read of some of the medical analysis of the poor lad it is plain to me that he is dead already.

My impression too.
I take some assurance from the unanimity of medical opinion and the different courts that the correct decision is being made.
 
It's an awful situation, truly horrendous. I feel so sorry for all involved in this nightmare. I'm just not sure what good prolonging this situation would bring to Archie & everyone else. The medical reports show everything has been done & unfortunately he is brain stem dead & now has necrosis in his brain and lungs. I just read she previously wouldn't allow for him to be transferred for an MRI brain scan in case it caused him harm, but she is now willing to move him to a hospice.
 
I've just been reading a lot more about this case and, and I don't want to sound awful here, but it's made me see his mother in a different light. There's some stuff going on behind the scenes that's left me feeling really uncomfortable about things
 
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I've just been reading a lot more about this case and, and I don't want to sound awful here, but it's made me see his mother in a different light. There's some stuff going on behind the scenes that's left me feeling really uncomfortable about things
Such as?

Is it 💷?
 
I would be very wary of kiwi farms as a website. This how Wikipedia describes it;

Kiwi Farms, formerly known as CWCki Forums (/ˈkwɪki/), is an American Internet forum dedicated to the discussion of online figures and communities it deems "lolcows" (people who can be "milked for laughs"). The targets of threads are often subject to doxing and other forms of organized group trolling, harassment, and stalking, including real-life harassment by users.[2][3]Harassment stemming from Kiwi Farms has been implicated in the suicides of three people targeted by users of the site.[9]
 
I would be very wary of kiwi farms as a website. This how Wikipedia describes it;

Kiwi Farms, formerly known as CWCki Forums (/ˈkwɪki/), is an American Internet forum dedicated to the discussion of online figures and communities it deems "lolcows" (people who can be "milked for laughs"). The targets of threads are often subject to doxing and other forms of organized group trolling, harassment, and stalking, including real-life harassment by users.[2][3]Harassment stemming from Kiwi Farms has been implicated in the suicides of three people targeted by users of the site.[9]

Understood. I started to read with an open mind, but there's things on there that have really made me begin to re-think things, and it's also not the only place these things are being said.
 
Please take note of what Low Moor said re kiwi farms.

My eldest, who’s quite the trans activist (wouldn’t get a Christmas card off JK Rowling anyway) was trolled quite badly by them, they hacked hers and my other daughters fb, twitter etc with death threats.

Now it doesn’t bother us, far to old for that nonsense, but my other daughters in this day and age, with possible employers reading social media, it can really scupper job oridoects.

So yes, please do not take what kiwi farms say as gospel.
 
Tragic, awful for all concerned. I am sure if the doctors and through their guidance courts thought there was a chance then it would be a different outcome...they are not monsters.

Really feel for the family though.
 
They should let him go now with dignity and donate his organs to help others, keeping his memory and legacy alive, very sad situation.
 
It’s a tragic story and I have read a fair bit about it too Lots of thought provoking comments on here.

People all over the UK take and accept advice from the medical profession day in day out.
The ‘experts’ give advice in the most dreadful of circumstances and emotions obviously run high.
It’s ‘raw‘ for me for reasons I will elaborate on later.

I can’t help thinking that this has been a dreadful waste of the courts and NHS time.
When did we get to a place that the experts could be ignored?
And yes, I know there are other ‘experts’ around the worlds who said they could help.
There always are - I’m sure Uri Geller would say he can help (and I’m not been flippant)

I’m left feeling angry about the parents actions.
 
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