Meet Charlie Gard. He was born in London on August 4th, 2016 to proud parents Chris Gard and Connie Yates. At first, he seemed to be a perfectly healthy baby boy. When he was only 8 weeks old, he fell ill and his parents had to take him to the hospital.
He was diagnosed with a devastating genetic condition called mitochondrial depletion syndrome, which causes progressive muscle weakness. His parents had no idea that they were both carriers of a faulty gene until Charlie was 3 months old. The disorder is so rare that it is believed to affect fewer than 20 children worldwide.
His story only begins there. What follows is a story of heartbreak, determination, and his parent’s fight for the very life of their child.
10. Looking For Options
Charlie’s condition is caused by a disruption in the mitochondria, the part of the cell that provides energy to his muscles, kidneys, and brain.
After watching their baby get weaker and weaker, Chris and Connie began to research his condition and found a doctor in America that might have a treatment option for him.
