A MUM whose 12-year-old son is brain damaged following a freak accident at home has said she won’t give up on him.
Doctors treating Archie Battersbee at a specialist London hospital think it is “highly likely” the youngster is dead and life-support treatment should end.
Archie Battersbee, 12, suffered ‘catastrophic’ brain damage in a freak accident at homeCredit: PA
Mum Hollie Dance is at the centre of a High Court life-treatment disputeCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
But his defiant mother Hollie Dance is not losing hope, insisting he is stable and should be given more time.
The 46-year-old said on Facebook today: “Sorry I’ve been a bit distant. Feeling broken but I’m not giving up.
“Arch is stable this morning although the machine’s going a bit berserk, not sure why.
“I’m going to do a live prayer tomorrow and hopefully video Arch for you all to help heal him.”
Hollie said she found keen gymnast and MMA fighter Archie with a ligature over his head on April 7 and thinks he might have been taking part in an online challenge.
He has not regained consciousness since suffering “catastrophic” brain damage during the incident in Southend-on-Sea, Essex.
Archie has been receiving treatment at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, where medics believe he is brain dead.
A High Court judge yesterday ruled Archie should undergo a brain-stem test so doctors can establish his condition.
This is expected to be carried out next week, Barts Health NHS Trust said after the private hearing.
But Archie’s parents Hollie and Paul, 56, have raised concerns about the proposals and want his care to continue.
Speaking after the ruling, Hollie said: “I am trying to be there for my little boy while also fighting a legal battle, it is so difficult and unfair.
“I’m asking the judge to just give him more time – give him time to fight back.
“Everyone is in such a rush. It’s only been five weeks – it took me longer to get over the flu.
“He has squeezed my fingers with a tight grip.
“I think that’s his way of letting me know he’s still here and just needs more time.”
Mrs Justice Arbuthnot said Archie’s family, and clinicians, needed to know the results of the brain-stem test to determine his future.
A doctor told her the brain stem is responsible for the functions which keep people alive.
“I understand on a human level the family’s anguish,” she said.
“Anyone can appreciate how much they must dread the result.”
A campaign organisation called the Christian Legal Centre said it is supporting Archie’s family.
Hollie outside the High Court, central LondonCredit: PA
Archie was a keen gymnast and MMA fighterCredit: PA
Hollie wants to keep her son on life support but the specialists treating him say it is ‘highly likely’ he is already brain deadCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
Archie’s mum said she found him with a ligature over his head on April 7Credit: GoFundMe
