Mother says 'leave my son to die'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/dorset/8341740.stm

Version 0 of 1.

The Dorset mother of a severely disabled boy being kept alive on a ventilator has asked for him to be allowed to die naturally.

Nine-year-old William Townsend is completely paralysed, partially sighted, is fed through a tube and needs constant care.

He has had his life saved from numerous potentially fatal complications.

Victoria Townsend, of Sturminster Newton, has now urged doctors to review his £500,000-a-year care package.

Mrs Townsend, 46, said: "I really, if it is at all possible, would not like him to undergo any more surgery.

"I hope that William chooses his time when he is ready to leave us and takes the decision away from us."

'Very painful'

The youngster suffered a massive cerebral haemorrhage when he was three weeks old which left him permanently brain-damaged.

Doctors did not think he would survive but at the age of four it was decided to move him to the Children's Trust in Tadworth, Surrey, at a cost of £1,400 a day.

Mr Townsend added: "He will never leave my thoughts, it's very painful but I don't want him to be imprisoned in his body any more.

"William is stable but has multiple conditions which incapacitate him. The doctors do not know how long he will live as there is no diagnosis and therefore no prognosis."

In 2004 Mrs Townsend launched Breathe On UK, a charity to help families of young people who are dependant on ventilation machines.