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| Ashley's Story; What's Your Take On This? | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jan 5 2007, 05:33 AM (173 Views) | |
| FamousGroupie | Jan 5 2007, 05:33 AM Post #1 |
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Obsessive Saddo Fangirl
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SEATTLE - Ashley X is the little girl who will never grow up. The nine-year-old is at the centre of a medical and ethical debate stirring an outpouring of sympathy and anger. She has static encephalopathy, a severe brain impairment. She cannot walk or talk and is fed with a tube. Three years ago, when Ashley began to show early signs of puberty at the age of six, her parents told doctors to remove her uterus, appendix and developing breasts, then give her high doses of estrogen to stunt her growth. In other words, Ashley was sterilised to remain a child. Ashley, the child of two Seattle professionals never had much hope of a normal life, The Times in Britain reported yesterday. Her parents say they decided to stop their daughter growing because they feared she would become too big to handle. The "growth attenuation" treatment is expected to keep Ashley about 135cm (4' 5") tall and weighing about 34kg (75lbs). The procedure was first reported in a medical journal in October, attracting criticism and even outrage from some doctors and caregivers, who say such treatment is a violation of a person's dignity. But on New Year's Day, Ashley's parents fought back. Anonymously Ashley's father posted an emotional 9000-word web journal, justifying his decision, and attracting international attention. Because she will stay small, he said, Ashley will get more care because she will be easier to carry. "Ashley will be moved and taken on trips more frequently and will have more exposure to activities and social gatherings...instead of lying down in her bed staring at TV all day long. "Some question how God might view this treatment. "The God we know wants Ashley to have a good quality of life and wants her parents to be diligent about using every resource at their disposal....to maximise her quality of life." |
| I don't believe in Bondi. I don't believe in rugby league. I believe in Yoko, John Lennon, the Lost Weekend and me. | |
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| JanaW | Jan 5 2007, 05:45 AM Post #2 |
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I think this is totally beyond all humanity. Evidently these people have money to be able to do this type of thing. No insurance company will pay for it. Which means they have the money to pay for good care for her and for someone able to lift her as she grows. I find it beyond belief that doctors actually performed these procedures. These parents deserve to have this child removed from their custody, and the doctors should be brought up on charges that they have violated their oaths. It makes me sick. |
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If slaughterhouses had glass walls the whole world would be vegetarian. Linda McCartney | |
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| Deleted User | Jan 5 2007, 05:49 AM Post #3 |
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Deleted User
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Awww the poor parents, wanted to make it easier for themselves. This is plain wrong and it should be a crime. According to Easter Seals: http://dallas.easterseals.com/site/DocServ....pdf?docID=1486 a diagnosis of this does not mean she can't get better, it means most likely she won't. |
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| Dorfliedot | Jan 5 2007, 06:59 AM Post #4 |
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Beatlelicious
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I started growing at early age. and I am short. So, it doesn't make since to me. The only thing that got real big are my well, chest. |
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| JanaW | Jan 5 2007, 07:58 AM Post #5 |
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She has static encephalopathy, a severe brain impairment. She cannot walk or talk and is fed with a tube. Chances are she will always be this way. I don't understand why it was such a surprise to these people when she started growing...geez. Did they think she would just stay a baby all her life? they make me sick to my stomach. |
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If slaughterhouses had glass walls the whole world would be vegetarian. Linda McCartney | |
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| FamousGroupie | Jan 5 2007, 09:00 AM Post #6 |
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Obsessive Saddo Fangirl
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I think the issue is whether or not the parents have a right to make this kind of decision for their daughter. The general public are horrified that this has been allowed to happen, saying that it is only making it easier for her parents to care for her. Her father has stated that the surgery has improved Ashley's quality of life, rather than being a mere convenience for those who look after her. He also stated that Ashley has no concept of puberty and may not have coped with her menstrual cycle. The girl has static encephalopathy. Chances are that she won't get better. She has no real quality of life. How can her parents say that the surgery has improved this non-existent quality? In my opinion, the parents are contradicting themselves and are using the "quality of life" angle as a cover up for what has been, sadly, a rather convenient move for them. |
| I don't believe in Bondi. I don't believe in rugby league. I believe in Yoko, John Lennon, the Lost Weekend and me. | |
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| Bill | Jan 5 2007, 10:38 AM Post #7 |
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I'm kind of torn and I think I need more information before making any comment. Naturally, my reflex action is revulsion. But then I wonder - she will always be a child mentally so what's the problem? But then, isn't it cruel for her to turn 30 and still be in the body on a 9yo? I don't know which is the lesser or two evils here.
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| Put a puppet on it. | |
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| Deleted User | Jan 5 2007, 01:53 PM Post #8 |
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Deleted User
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I have a strong inclination to condemn the parents, but without more info, you really can't judge. |
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| jayjay | Jan 5 2007, 02:57 PM Post #9 |
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I agree with Bill and Chad... It's very easy to condemn the parents at first, which I admit that I did, however, there are other factors I'm sure are involved that we are not aware of. Either way, it's a sad situation and there are no real solutions to a problem like this.
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| Deleted User | Jan 5 2007, 06:56 PM Post #10 |
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Miracles can and do happen. Science is learning new ways to treat people everyday. Nothing is impossible. Conditions can change. It is wrong to do this when 1, 5, 10, 15 years from now all these unchangeable conditions may very well have changed. |
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| MarthamyDear | Jan 5 2007, 09:46 PM Post #11 |
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I agree that what the parents did was very extreme..........but I can understand the difficulties they faced as this girl would mature. I do commend them for wanting to care for Ashley as long as they can.........and as a Mom to a boy with severe autism, I often think how will I be able to handle him when he is a towering and strong guy once he is fully grown???? When he's having a meltdown, it will be a scary prospect for me! I've thought the same thing to myself.........I wish I could keep him as a small boy, and it's not in a selfish manner either. So, it looks like I'm the only one here who has some measure of understanding their reasoning...............It would be great if miracles happen, but you can really bank on them
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| And it really doesn't matter if I'm wrong, I'm right.......Where I belong I'm right..........Where I belong. | |
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| FamousGroupie | Jan 5 2007, 10:30 PM Post #12 |
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Obsessive Saddo Fangirl
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Bill, here is the parents blog for Ashley - it may give you more information on her situation. http://ashleytreatment.spaces.live.com/blog |
| I don't believe in Bondi. I don't believe in rugby league. I believe in Yoko, John Lennon, the Lost Weekend and me. | |
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| Sandra | Jan 5 2007, 10:44 PM Post #13 |
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Thanks for the link Clare. |
| <a href='http://eapr-1/@0@Sandra@1@Edinburgh%2C%20Scotland@' target='_blank'></a> | |
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| maccascruff | Jan 6 2007, 11:51 PM Post #14 |
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Sing the Changes
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I read the blog. I would hate to be faced with this decision and honestly don't know what I would do. |
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7:14 PM Jul 11