Issues@Hand

AFA initiatives, Christian activism, news briefs

January 2015 – The High Court of Justice in London, England, set a precedent in October, 2014, when Charlotte Fitzmaurice and David Wise were given the legal right to end the life of their daughter, 12-year-old Nancy Fitzmaurice. Nancy was born blind and suffering from hydrocephalus, meningitis, and septicemia. Charlotte quit her nursing job to take care of Nancy.

A routine operation went wrong after Nancy turned 12, leaving her in obvious pain. High Court Justice Eleanor King said Charlotte’s love for her daughter is apparent and King had “great admiration” for her devotion to Nancy.

Charlotte said, “The last day was the hardest of my life. It was absolutely horrifying. I miss my beautiful girl every day, and although I know it was the right thing to do, I will never forgive myself. It shouldn’t have to be a mother’s decision to end their child’s life. Doctors should be able to take that away from you.”

Joni Eareckson Tada, founder of Joni and Friends and a quadriplegic, said, “What is heartbreaking about it is that the mother said she will never be able to forgive herself.”

itv.com, 10/26/14; christianpost.com, 10/8/14