Coronation Street will air a special hour-long episode tonight (November 13), one which will focus entirely on the Oliver storyline.
Viewers have seen Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson) fight with every fibre of her being for her son, in an effort to ensure that he remains alive in the hopes that someday a cure will be found.
She pleaded her case in court this week, but was left heartbroken when she was forced to admit on the stand that Oliver’s reactions could have been involuntary.
What is mitochondrial disease?
Mitochondrial diseases result from failures of the mitochondria, specialized compartments present in every cell of the body (except red blood cells).
Mitochondria are responsible for creating more than 90% of the energy needed by the body to sustain life and support organ function. When they fail, less and less energy is generated within the cell. Cell injury and even cell death follow. If this process is repeated throughout the body, whole organ systems begin to fail.
The parts of the body, such as the heart, brain, muscles and lungs, requiring the greatest amounts of energy are the most affected.
Symptoms vary depending on the organ(s) affected but may include seizures, atypical cerebral palsy, autistic features, developmental problems, fainting and temperature instability.
According to The Lily Foundation, the prognosis depends upon the severity of the disease and other criteria. As more research funds are raised to find more effective treatments and ultimately a cure, some of the affected children and adults are living fairly normal lives with mitochondrial disease.
In other cases, children may not be able to see, hear, talk or walk. Affected children may not survive beyond their teenage years. Adult onset can result in drastic changes from an active lifestyle to a debilitating ilness is a short amount of time.
Treatment plans vary from patient to patient but involve therapies, diet changes and other means to try and slow the progress of the disease.
Tonight’s episode sees the judge make a decision.
Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson) and Leanne sit in silence as the judge delivers her statement regarding Oliver’s situation.
She concludes that it would be in Oliver’s best interests that his life support be withdrawn.
Leanne is crushed by the revelation, and therefore she calls Toyah (Georgia Taylor) to inform her of what’s happened.
In spite of the verdict, Leanne announces that she wants to launch an appeal. Steve isn’t so sure, but he reluctantly agrees
However, later at the hospital, Steve reveals to Leanne that it’s time to let Oliver go, and therefore he cannot support her decision to appeal.
How will Leanne react?
Coronation Street continues Friday November 13 at 7:30pm on ITV.
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