Disabled girl's parents defend growth-stunting treatment

[rem16]

NEW YORK (CNN) -- It's been a year since the parents of a severely disabled child made public their decision to submit their daughter to a hysterectomy, breast surgery and drugs to keep the girl forever small. Today, the couple tell CNN, they believe they made the right decision -- one that could have a profound impact on the care of disabled children worldwide.

"The 'Ashley treatment' has been successful in every expected way," Ashley's parents told CNN exclusively in a lengthy e-mail interview. "It has potential to help many others like it helped our precious daughter."

http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/03/12/pillow.angel/index.html

[Details]

I really think they were brilliant to think of this. Their daughter will forever be an infant. Keeping her body small and immature will make her healthier, less likely to be the target of molestation by a pervert, and allow her family to keep her with them for much longer. It's not appropriate for anyone that has more mental capacity - but for cases where the child will never develop, it makes so much sense to keep the body matching the brain.

[Tracian]

I support the parents on this, and ITA with Details post!

[Roenick]

As much technology and new procedures as there are coming out, I do not foresee any cure being found in the parents life time to help Ashley.
They did something to help her in long run and to help them be able to care for her. I can't imagine it was an easy decision for them.

I support them 100%

It's not something for everyone but every family should have the knowledge of it so they can decide.