Violation of Human Rights or Caring Parents?
I recently read a news story about a 9 year old girl, Ashley, who is severely mentally disabled and has been since birth. To make it easier to care for her, Ashley's parents have had her undergo surgery for a hysterectomy, breast bud removal and estrogen treatment all to keep her small.
The parents claim this will help make it easier to take care of and enjoy their daugther. They have even named the treatment "Ashley Treatment". You can read more about this story here:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/01/04/uashley104.xml
What do you think? Can you understand why the parents have chose to do this or do you think it's completely wrong?
The parents claim this will help make it easier to take care of and enjoy their daugther. They have even named the treatment "Ashley Treatment". You can read more about this story here:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/01/04/uashley104.xml
What do you think? Can you understand why the parents have chose to do this or do you think it's completely wrong?
posted by Mila at 8:57 AM
NEW! 
4 Comments:
Well I certainly won't pass judgment on people when I haven't walked a mile in their moccasins. I have read about the Ashley treatment before, and what strikes me most is that these people have dedicated their lives to caring for their disabled child the best they can... like all good parents.
I work with kids with multiple handicaps and have actually had a student that underwent similar, although not as extensive surgery. I also have a friend who has a 17 year old severely multiply handicapped child who was not expected to live past 2 years old...he does not live at home because Mom cannot care for him with his size and needs. Although he is in a wonderful home and visits regularly it is difficult.
This situation is so difficult but not up for us to decide or judge. I have worked with kids who are terribly mistreated or neglected...surgery and living with her family who cares doesn't sound as bad when you look at all the perspectives. Don't know what I would do...
Although it would absolutely break my heart, I would look into doing that myself if I were in their position. The fact is that our children will more than likely be bigger than our generation is and so that much harder to help physically if they reach adult size. I commend the parents for this because this will also stop her from getting pregnant if, for some reason, she is put in another caregivers care and she is raped. Not a pretty thought I know, but it does happen.
That is an amazing story. I think the parents are very brave to be public about it all. I do believe that everyone involved is committed to what is best for the girl.
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