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Quebec boy breathing on his own, discharged from hospital after court-ordered extubation

Click to play video: 'Quebec family celebrates after young boy in near-drowning discharged from hospital'
Quebec family celebrates after young boy in near-drowning discharged from hospital
WATCH: A young Quebec boy who almost drowned close to a year ago was released from hospital on Monday. The boy's medical treatment was the subject of a court case that began late last year. Ste-Justine Hospital won the battle to remove his breathing tube, despite his parents' objection. Global's Felicia Parrillo reports. – Apr 17, 2023

A six-year-old boy is well enough to go home after being hospitalized since last June.

On Monday morning, his family and friends gathered in front of the Sainte-Justine hospital to thank God for what they’re calling a miraculous recovery.

“It’s been 309 days of life for my son, over 7,000 hours of life for someone who some said wouldn’t even survive the night after the incident,” said the boy’s mother, who cannot be identified because of a publication ban. “It’s huge.”

In June 2022, a Quebec boy, who was five at the time, fell into a coma after nearly drowning in the family pool.

The boy was admitted to intensive care at Ste-Justine hospital. He was submerged in a pool for between 15 and 20 minutes. Evidence presented in court showed he suffered serious brain damage.

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A few months later, the hospital took the boy’s parents to court when they were unable to agree on medical treatment.

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The hospital wanted to remove the boy’s breathing tube so he could return home and receive physical therapy, but his parents wanted the option to reintubate him if needed.

Ultimately the hospital won the case, and on February 16 the boy’s breathing tube was removed.

“The family is very grateful and appreciative to have reached this step,” said Patrick Martin-Ménard, the family’s lawyer. ” It has been a very long journey, both from a medical standpoint and from a legal standpoint.”

The parents of the boy wouldn’t go into great detail about their son’s current condition, only saying he’s bedridden and they’re confident he’ll one day be able to speak and walk again.

“He doesn’t speak or respond to us at the moment, but he reacts when he hears our voices,” said the boy’s father.

The family says they’re grateful for the medical team at the hospital for their help and support.

In a statement to Global News, Ste-Justine said they salute the family for their courage and will continue to support them in the future.

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