Severely disabled Jewish girl from Manchester, 2, granted US visa
Alta Fixsler, who has been on life support and has 'no conscious awareness' according to medics, may be allowed to leave the UK but requires permission to travel
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
A severely disabled two-year-old girl from Manchester who a court ruled had no prospect of recovery has been granted an American visa to receive treatment in the country – if she’s allowed to travel.
Alta Fixsler has been on life support at Manchester’s Royal Children’s Hospital since birth, and has “no conscious awareness”, according to medics.
Doctors were granted an order, confirmed at the Court of Appeal earlier this to allow her to die, saying that it is in her best interests.
But American senators have now stepped in – with Alta’s father, Abraham having dual Israeli and American nationality.
Chuck Schumer, the Senate majority leader, has written to the British ambassador to Washington, Karen Pierce, for the suspension of “health decisions against the wishes of the family”.
He has also secured her a visa if she is allowed to travel.
Yossi Gestetner, a family friend in the US, said the family believed the ruling left it open for Sajid Javid, the health secretary, to issue an order allowing the family to move the child.
A group of Republican senators has asked President Biden to intervene directly with Boris Johnson, saying they were “profoundly troubled” by the way Britain was dealing with the case.
New Jersey’s senators say the state’s Phoenix Centre for Rehabilitation and Paediatrics is willing to take the child.
The court ruling this month stopped the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust from turning off her life support machine pending an appeal to the Supreme Court.
The original ruling said that such a move would only risk more pain to Alta.
“There are quite a few people this side of the pond who are trying to assist the family,” family friend Gestetner told The Times.
Jewish News has contacted Javid’s office for comment.
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