Dean Gregory revealed that he was aware of his daughter Indi’s unique nature the first time he saw her, seeing her with her big, round eyes and long, dark lashes upon her birth in February. Tragically, he witnessed his 8-month-old daughter take her final breaths in her mother’s arms early Monday morning.
Indi’s battle against an uncommon, incurable condition called mitochondrial disease led to the family’s highly publicized struggle against England’s National Health Service to keep her on treatment. Despite doctors’ claims of her suffering and limited treatment options, the family fought to continue Indi’s care in a legal battle that drew attention from Italy’s prime minister and the Vatican.
After being diagnosed with mitochondrial disease and catching an infection at the hospital in August, Indi required full life support and numerous medical treatments. Her parents proposed several therapies, including medication and a ketogenic diet that provided hope of prolonging her life, inspired by limited improvement seen previously. Despite their efforts, the courts ruled in favor of the family’s physicians and the removal of Indi’s life support.
Although supported by various entities and even offered treatment by an Italian hospital under government funding, Indi’s parents were unable to sway the courts. Ultimately, Indi was transferred to a hospice, where she passed away after her life support was removed.
Indi’s story caught the attention and spread sorrow around the world, with an outpouring of well wishes from concerned individuals and even Pope Francis, expressing prayers for the family and all ill children worldwide.شDean Gregory’s statement reflected on the struggle and the impact it had on Indi’s final moments, while Italian prime minister Meloni bemoaned the loss of the fight for Indi’s life but wished her a peaceful journey beyond.
