Lancaster teenager in legal battle for ‘vital kidney transplant’
A Lancaster boy in need of a kidney transplant is currently in a treatment dispute as he desperately seeks a donor
Leah PeacheyThe mother of 17-year-old Lancaster resident, William Verden, is currently in a legal battle with the courts after appealing for a donor, after being told it was not in her son’s “best interest” to offer him the vital kidney transplant.
According to a post by BBC News Lancashire, William, who has also been diagnosed with autism and ADHD, currently has 12 months to live, and is on dialysis to keep him alive.
He also has steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome, and medical professionals have said that the chance of his disease reoccurring with a transplant would be close to 100 per cent.
via SWNS
His mother, Ami McLellan, has spoken out and says that she understands the risks of the operation and its 50 per cent chance of success; however, she believes that her son “deserves the chance” to have a kidney transplant, and feels that “William’s voice needs to be heard”.
William was diagnosed with the kidney condition Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in December 2019, and it is said his current kidney function is approximately five per cent. Tests have been carried out on his mother, father, and other relatives, but none were deemed suitable donors.
Speaking at the hearing in Liverpool, his mother said: “I am here because he deserves a transplant. I am under no illusion it might not work”. She described her son as “full of life” and “beautiful inside and out”.
According to Ms McLennan, William keeps asking when he will get better, and she says that she can’t answer as she doesn’t want to lie to him.
A consultant psychologist is fearful for William if the decision is passed to refuse a transplant as he is currently “convinced” that he will get a transplant.
via SWNS
The court has heard that his life expectancy would fall from 12 months to simply a matter of weeks without the dialysis he is currently on. His family is currently appealing for a donor to come forward during this legal battle as they believe it is a “race against time” to save him.
They hope the court will allow him to have a kidney transplant for him to have the chance to enjoy his life like other teenagers his age.
Ms McLennan cannot understand why the doctors won’t give William a chance, and she feels their concerns and pleas over a transplant and continued treatment have been ignored.
She added: “We appreciate William has challenges because of his learning difficulties, but he still deserves the best care possible”. She wants her son to be put on the treatment list and for his treatment to continue until a donor becomes available.
The hearing is currently still ongoing, and a decision will be made soon on whether the court believes it is in William’s best interest to have a kidney transplant.
Featured image via SWNS
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