An Ethics Question ?

[Racoon]

First off, I can only imagine what it would be like to be a parent of a severly mentally handicapped child...

 

And without that hard realization, I can't really fault this couple for what they are doing.

 

Extreme, yes. Necessary, no. Ethical ? The "Peter Pan" treatment...

 

Surgery to stunt girl's growth sparks debate - Children's Health - MSNBC.com

 

Parents say drastic treatment allows them to take better care of their child

 

In a case fraught with ethical questions, the parents of a severely mentally and physically disabled child have stunted her growth to keep their little “pillow angel” a manageable and more portable size.

 

The bedridden 9-year-old girl had her uterus and breast tissue removed at a Seattle hospital and received large doses of hormones to halt her growth. She is now 4-foot-5; her parents say she would otherwise probably reach a normal 5-foot-6.

 

(Quote shortened by Tormod)

[Pyrotex]

Raccoon, Raccoon, Raccoon...

you sure know how to find those dark places in the human psyche where ethics, fear and grief all whirlpool together in a black cauldron of angst.

 

The trouble with questions like this, is that the world is full of people who feel that they know exactly how this (and similar) situations should be handled, but they have no first hand experience with the problem itself. They are free to legislate upon others because they know that they themselves do not come under that legislation.

 

I say the parents are fully in their right to keep their daughter stunted. It serves a good and practical service. She will, in fact, recieve better care if she can be transported and maneuvered more easily.

 

Speaking for my own handicapped self--I am 5 foot 2 and weigh 130 pounds. I have one 'good' arm (about 50% normal strength) and one 'weak' arm (about 25%). Since I left college, I have been 100% independent in my life, working full time, driving my own vehicles, back-packing across north Europe, doing my own cooking and house-cleaning. (Okay, the house-cleaning part wasn't really that good. Sue me.)

 

Had I been much heavier, I would never have been able achieve this independence. Keeping my weight down is Life Critical.

 

Of course, it's not the same situation as you brought up. But still...

The ethics of handicap management is still an explosive quagmire in American society, largely because of residual Bronze-Age thinking.

[Racoon]

Had I been much heavier, I would never have been able achieve this independence. Keeping my weight down is Life Critical.

 

Of course, it's not the same situation as you brought up. But still...

The ethics of handicap management is still an explosive quagmire in American society, largely because of residual Bronze-Age thinking.

 

Well said Pyro, and well done on your behalf.

This is one of those life instances that necessitate a practical reality check.

 

You realize that there will always be a percentage of people who will find a reason to be offended with whatever it is you do.

 

In the old days this person would not have lived very long and such is natural selection. And if "Pillow Angel" is to live in this dangerous and competetive world we share today, then it should be according to her parents wishes... Not some moralistic pundit who would rather argue about the care, rather than actually caring.

[C1ay]

Having read all I could find on this I support the parents decision to do what they think is in their daughter's best interest and I am thankful this little girl has parents with the resources to take such drastic measures in her interest.