The sorrow and hope of Charlie Gard

This is a phenomenally upsetting story. We must talk about it.

Charlie Gard.
(Image credit: Family of Charlie Gard via AP)

No one could fail to be moved these last few weeks by the plight of Chris Gard and Connie Yates, the English couple whose son, Charlie, was born with a rare genetic condition called encephalomyopathic mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome.

This is true especially, I think, of other parents of small children. As I write this, I am staring down at my healthy, happy 8-month-old daughter, who is smiling at me. I smile back, secure in the knowledge that I will live to see her walk, talk, learn to ride a bicycle, make her First Communion, attend college, perhaps marry or embrace religious life. I love her more than I could ever possibly say, and she will be a source of joy to me until I draw my last breath. That is because, barring any hideous unforeseen circumstances, she will almost certainly outlive me.

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Matthew Walther

Matthew Walther is a national correspondent at The Week. His work has also appeared in First Things, The Spectator of London, The Catholic Herald, National Review, and other publications. He is currently writing a biography of the Rev. Montague Summers. He is also a Robert Novak Journalism Fellow.