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Should "the Ashley treatment" (medicines and surgery to prevent growth) be given to reduce the physical size of children with severe irreversible neurological and cognitive impairments who are totally dependent on others for care their entire lives?
107 people responded: 44% = YES 47% = NO 9% = UNSURE
Comments:- No, they will need care regardless of size. Let them grow up
- Yes, this makes care giving substantially easier on the giver and the patient.
- No, Every child deserves a chance to read their own potential.
- God created us just as we are. He/she has a reason for everything even though we as humans may not understand.
- Children should be able to develop normally on their own.
- Yes, not only does it significantly lessen the burden placed on the parents, it eases the hardships that the affected child faces.
- Medical treatment should be in the best interest of the patient. If doctor and guardian agree then I believe it is acceptable.
- If a family can afford it, not on Government funding.
- This is a decision that should be made by the family.
- We leave many choices in medical care up to the parents - even the choice to abort. Parents would need to be counseled on this very important decision… and after reflection for a given time (i.e. 3 years) they should be allowed to make the decision. Parents may then care for these children/adults longer than they would otherwise be able to.
- I agree with 'the Ashley treatment' because if she grew up, she cannot survive by herself. She also becomes a burden to our society.
- The body should be on the same page with the mentality.
- Let the parents make that decision. They will be Ashley's caretakers for a long time & let Ashley stay small in size if that helps in the overall caretaking.
- I would rather take care of a baby forever than a grown adult with the mind of a baby.