While I am on my soap box with one activist child who wants to choke on her chocolate toy whenever she damn well pleases, I should take this opportunity to educate a bit about Charlie Gard over in England. Our election was contentious to say the least; it was heart wrenching to watch our country and families torn in two. However, the down sides to government provided health care is more than the cost. First, I have a special needs child. I'm all for programs that save lives and make medicine attainable for all. But, even our friends in England don't have their cake and get to eat it, too. They have the money. They want to leave the hospital with their son. There is a hospital in the US willing to treat him. They aren't allowed. At any moment, a doctor may walk in the room and is court ordered to kill their son. If a government controls the money, they control the power. What you don't know is Charlie suffers from the same mitochondrial encephalopathy as my son. Different gene, same family of disorders (my son has MERRF). Same possible outcome. Since birth, we have been told Jake could die. As a toddler and child, he was hospitalized multiple times yearly with pneumonia until he was homeschooled. Then there was the feeding tubes and surgeries and biopsies. He's stable. He's not well. He can't go to public school. He gets flu and pneumonia vaccinations because the older he gets, the more dangerous the virus. I don't know where/if he'll be able to work or drive. He gets confused even though he's incredibly sharp. Such a brilliant young man to speak with on a multitude of subjects. He's a year ahead in high school and gaining. So much potential in such a weak body. He is my world. He is tender, kind. He is loving and genuine. He makes me be the best person I can be. I can't imagine a government being able to take my son away from me. I know Charlie's condition is severe. I know the outlook isn't optimal. I do not know of any treatment that really helps. But what if it could? What if a hospital said let us at least try? What if your government said, he dies because we pay? #think #charliegard #mito #love #family #kids #life #son #mda #solutionforlife #bipartisan
