A Cambridge University graduate who died after refusing chemotherapy told a court she was “anti-vaxxer” and always turned to her mother for medical advice, an inquest in England heard.
Paloma Shemirani (23) died at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, England, on July 24, 2024, after refusing treatment for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Her mother, Kay “Kate” Shemirani, rose to prominence on social media for spreading conspiracy theories about COVID-19, which was previously the subject of an inquest at Oakwood House in Maidstone, Kent.
In written evidence submitted to the High Court Family Division in London in spring 2024, Paloma explained that she refused chemotherapy partly because of her “expertise in natural healing”, the hearing heard on Monday.
The case, which involved representatives from Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, centred on the appropriateness of her treatment, with Paloma claiming she was “delighted” with the alternative treatment and “confident” she would “make a full recovery” if it were continued.
In evidence read by Alison Hewitt's lawyer, she also alleged her human rights had been violated by health workers.
Ms Shemirani, who attended the interrogation via video link, wept and held up photographs of Paloma to the camera as they were read out.
It said: “I am far from being a vulnerable young man. Apart from becoming independent after moving to Cambridge for university, I followed the same principles I grew up with.”
“I have always been very concerned about my health: I eat only organic products, cook all my food myself and never drink or cook with tap water.
“I have never taken drugs, despite pressure, and I rarely drink alcohol.
“Whenever I fell ill, I always turned to my mother first for advice, as she is an experienced nurse and a qualified nutritionist.
“I am almost fanatical about my health and my close friends know me as a staunch believer in all proven methods of natural healing.”
She also described her mother as “an extremely strong advocate of natural health” who is “misquoted” by those who claim that “these natural solutions
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
