Indi Gregory in 'excruciating pain' on day she died, reveal heartbroken parents
The dad of tragic court battle baby Indi Gregory today reveals her moving final moments – and how she died while listening to her favourite musical teddy.
The plight of the eight-month-old girl captured the nation’s hearts as she fought incurable energy-sapping Mitochondrial disease. Indi also touched millions in Italy, which had offered a medical lifeline to her parents Claire Staniforth and Dean Gregory, only for doctors here and the Court of Appeal to refuse it.
Since Indi’s death on Monday, the Pope and the Italian PM have sent her family personal notes of condolences while the Italian Government has offered to pay for her funeral. Indi’s emotional dad Dean recalls how she took her final breath as she lay in mum Claire’s arms at 1.45am – less than 48 hours after her life support was removed.
Baby Indi with sister ViennaHer three sisters had already said their goodbyes, leaving Mum and Dad to stay by Indi’s side overnight. Dean, 37, said: “We had her little musical lamb and Toniebox playing. The girls had been able to cuddle and kiss her and lie on the bed, which we’d never been able to do before. Claire and I both got to hold her quite a few times and she had a few hours of stability. We didn’t leave her side – one of us would go for a meal and the other would stay. We just couldn’t bear to leave her, just in case.”
But Indi’s final day also involved suffering her parents will never forget. “In the weeks before, she had been calm and relaxed and didn’t appear to be in any pain – but this all changed after life support was removed,” Dean said.
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“On her last day, she was in excruciating pain. Her stomach kept tensing for a few seconds at a time. She suffered. It was horrible to watch. After she passed, we couldn’t even bear to take the ventilator mask off because seeing her face would have traumatised us more. I’m glad Claire had the courage to hold Indi as I couldn’t do it… I kept plugging in the heart monitor in the hope I’d see a signal. But after she’d passed away, we gave her a kiss and told her we loved her.”
Two days earlier, Indi had been transferred from Nottingham’s Queen’s Medical Centre to a children’s hospice after a High Court judge ruled it would be impossible for her to die at the family home in Ilkeston, Derbys.
Baby Indi has sadly died (PA)
Pope Francis sent a note of condolence (AFP via Getty Images)It marked the end of the couple’s agonising legal battle to overturn a decision to limit her treatment. But her doting family – including sisters Liv, 19, Olivia, 13, and Vienna, six – were determined to give Indi a chance. They had been offered help from consultants at Rome’s Bambino Gesu Pediatric Hospital who were willing to perform surgery to potentially prolong Indi’s life. But doctors here insisted it would be kinder to let Indi die than extend her suffering.
The Italian government then made a last-ditch attempt to reverse the decision by granting the youngster Italian citizenship and offering to pay for her treatment – but Court of Appeal judges refused. Dean and Claire, 35, who run their own pharmaceuticals firm, said the love and support from the Italian people had kept them going through their darkest moments.
And they were stunned to receive personal letters of condolence from the Pope and the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni.
Pope Francis described little Indi as “an innocent, fragile human being, who in her silence only asked for love, relationship and care.” And Ms Meloni added that her country had done “everything [it] could” but “unfortunately it was not enough”. Of the Italian government’s offer to pay for Indi’s funeral, Dean said: “It’s amazing. It makes you feel emotional but also sad, as you question what this country has done to help. The answer is nothing.
Mum Claire and dad Dean with Indi's sister (Reach Commissioned)“The Italians have given Claire and I hope in humanity. They have shown us care and loving support and I wish the UK authorities were the same. We thank the Italian government and Italian people from the bottom of our hearts.”
The family are now putting all their energy into giving their little girl the best possible goodbye. Indi will travel to her final resting place in a horse-drawn carriage, with her family following behind in a cortege of 10 Rolls-Royces. It is understood the celebration of Indi’s brief life – due to take place early next month – will be attended by top Italian officials.
Dean said: “We’re going to give her the best send-off we can – and she deserves it. She was baptised so it will be a religious send-off with a choir and organ music. It’s going to be a very sad but amazing day. She’ll be with her musical lamb in the coffin. The NHS and the courts tried to get rid of Indi without anybody knowing – but we will make sure she is remembered for ever.”
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