When is it OK to make a decision like this for your daughter?

[Hildegard]

I wonder what it would feel like to know that someone else made this decision for you, and it was considered medically ethical because you were disabled, even at 15.

[CAFKIA]

I wonder what it would feel like to know that someone else made this decision for you, and it was considered medically ethical because you were disabled, even at 15.

You have chosen a tough one. I'm just plain not sure. There certainly seems to be reasonable logic for the operation. I guess you just have to ask the individual but, I understand there would be cases when that would be difficult if not imposible. Hell Hildi, I just plain don't know.

[trancendyce]

Somehow the breast bud removal seems a bit much.

[Tess]

They said that large breasts run in the family and they wanted to keep her body weight as low as possible. She is pretty much a vegetable, but they carry her around and place her in the room with the rest of the family when they are doing something.

It is weird, but maybe it is the only way they can manage the situation they are in.

[SBL]

i had two mentally and physically disabled aunts. in the '70s they both had hysterectomies (it was a widespread practice back then but later came in to disfavor), and as best i can remember the only reason was the fear of them being raped and having to bear children. neither were physically or mentally able to carry a child to term. they were late children for my grandmother, the youngest, having been born several years after me, had severe downsyndrome and died at 15.

the inconvenience of periods is not a good reason. there are hormone pills that can help with that.

removal of the breast buds, i agree, is too much. that was not done to my aunts.

sbl

[kag]

This is really tough.

Having never lived with caring 24-7 for a profoundly disabled child, I find it hard to judge another parent who is living wit that reality for the rest of their lives.

On the other hand, it's a slippery slope to eugenics.

Tough one.

[gypsy]

On the other hand, it's a slippery slope to eugenics.

of course, we already practice eugenics to some degree. lots of abortions every year of fetuses that test positive or likely for down syndrome and other things. i remember your column about being confronted with that katie, it was a good one.

[kag]

of course, we already practice eugenics to some degree. lots of abortions every year of fetuses that test positive or likely for down syndrome and other things. i remember your column about being confronted with that katie, it was a good one.

Thanks JFM. That essay is actually included in a brand-new book (coming out next week). Info here: http://www.choice-stories.com/

[Hayduke]

She is pretty much a vegetable, but they carry her around and place her in the room with the rest of the family when they are doing something.

Was there any indication that she is mentally disabled as well? My comprehensive understanding of CP (from reading the wikipedia article) tells me that her intelligence is unrelated to the condition and that she ought to be able to make the decision herself (or at least be talked into it). Also, CP is not genetic, so there's no issue of taking her out of the gene pool.

Under what conditions do we determine that someone is less human, and therefore entitled to lesser human rights? I'd argue that there is a point, but only in cases of mental defect.

[Tess]

I was talking about the other reference to the girl who is a vegetable .... not the one with CP.

Here is her story http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashley_Treatment