Tragic baby's dad shares emotional eulogy at 'warrior' daughter's funeral
Tragic baby Indi Gregory who died aged just eight months after a legal battle over her ongoing care, has had her funeral today.
Ahead of the moving moving ceremony, the tot's dad Dean carried her tiny white coffin into the cathedral as mourners, led by Indi's mother Claire Staniforth. In a moving tribute, the dad praised his "beautiful warrior" who had to "fight to live from day one".
He said: "I honestly and truly feel, deep in my heart, that Indi was not only beautiful, strong and unique. I just knew, from the start, she was very special. Nonetheless, I could never have imagined the sort of journey we and Indi would have to go through to fight for her life.
"She didn't only have to battle against her health problems, she had to battle against a system that makes it almost impossible to win. Yet, it was her weakest point, her health problems, that distinguished Indi as a true warrior. I will love you always, Indi. From Dad x."
The mother of Indi Gregory, Claire Staniforth, leads mourners (PA)Before her death Indi's parents said they will "fight for as long as it takes" after losing their High Court fight to keep their daughter on life support. The judge heard Indi, who was born on February 24, has mitochondrial disease, an incurable genetic condition which saps energy, and is being treated at the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham. She also had other medical issues, including a hole in her heart.
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The judge dismissed Indi's parents application to move her to Italy. In a written decision, Mr Justice Peel said: “I am satisfied that the proposal for a transfer to Rome would not be in (Indi’s) best interests. In my judgment, there is no material change of circumstances, or other compelling reason, to justify reconsideration of my original order. The application is dismissed.”
Indi Gregory died last month (PA)Her parents wanted to take the case to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. Following the ruling, Mr Gregory described the decision as 'sickening' , and vowed to appeal and continue to push for the right to give his daughter a chance of life in Italy.
Indi Gregory died during the night in her mother's arms on November 13. At the time her father said: "Indi's life ended at 01.45am. Claire and I are angry, heartbroken and ashamed. The NHS and the Courts not only took away her chance to live a longer life, but they also took away Indi's dignity to pass away in the family home where she belonged.
Indi's dad Dean ahead of the service (PA)"They did succeed in taking Indi's body and dignity, but they can never take her soul. They tried to get rid of Indi without anybody knowing, but we made sure she would be remembered forever. I knew she was special from the day she was born. Claire held her for her final breaths."
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