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Eric

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'Pillow Angel' Child Intentionally Stunted

« on: January 04, 2007, 04:39:28 PM »

'Pillow Angel' Child Intentionally Stunted

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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.

Some ethicists question the parents' claim that the drastic treatment will benefit their daughter and allow them to continue caring for her at home.

http://www.kcra.com/health/10672759/detail.html

Thoughts? Opinions? Make sure you read the full article...

If you don't want to, here's another part:

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Her condition has left her in an infant state, unable to sit up, roll over, hold a toy or walk or talk. Her parents say she will never get better. She is alert, startles easily, and smiles, but does not maintain eye contact, according to her parents, who call the brown-haired little girl their "pillow angel."


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SacGurl

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Re: 'Pillow Angel' Child Intentionally Stunted

« Reply #1 on: January 05, 2007, 01:50:09 AM »

You aren't expecting us to come up with a fix for this issue are you? And I mean....what is there really to say. The deed has been done.

I guess if someone asked me I would have to say I lean on the side of not altering that which does not in the moment need altering. I don't agree with preventative mastectomies for instance but then I also place more faith in Faith and alternative medicines than cut, chemo and radiate so it's not like I think people just have to lay down and die if they have a negative family history or get a stage 4 diagnosis.

But for those who would harshly judge I would say if you haven't lived for years or months taking care of a totally dependent other human being 24/7......AND if you are not offering to "come on staff" as part of said family in order to lighten their load you may not really understand.

Lastly of course but equally important would be the issues of just because we can doesn't mean we should and what were the Dr's thinking? It's not like these parents were starving this child at home she was operated on hello???

"fearful people do stupid things" This quote just came to mind.

SacGurl


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TonySinclair

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Re: 'Pillow Angel' Child Intentionally Stunted

« Reply #2 on: January 05, 2007, 09:21:23 AM »

Quote from: SacGurl on January 05, 2007, 01:50:09 AM

I don't agree with preventative mastectomies for instance but then I also place more faith in Faith and alternative medicines than cut, chemo and radiate so it's not like I think people just have to lay down and die if they have a negative family history or get a stage 4 diagnosis.

I do not have a problem with preventative mastectomies - why not take a proactive aproach to your health if your family has a history of breast cancer. You could flip the coin and I'd feel the same about testicular cancer.

As for the article, I don't have much to say - I'm not in their shoes, but if I were I'd imagine that I couldn't do that - I think I do understand their position though.


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Eric

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Re: 'Pillow Angel' Child Intentionally Stunted

« Reply #3 on: January 05, 2007, 10:51:38 AM »

Quote from: SacGurl on January 05, 2007, 01:50:09 AM

You aren't expecting us to come up with a fix for this issue are you? And I mean....what is there really to say. The deed has been done.

nah, I was was just asking for peoples' thoughts or opinions on the issue...


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SacGurl

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Re: 'Pillow Angel' Child Intentionally Stunted

« Reply #4 on: January 10, 2007, 10:14:59 PM »

And what are yours My Eric? yes

SacGurl


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Eric

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Re: 'Pillow Angel' Child Intentionally Stunted

« Reply #5 on: January 10, 2007, 10:34:09 PM »

I strongly believe that everyone is entitled to their rights; however, our laws are set up to provide power of attorney in certain situations. I don't know if that applies in this case, and I honestly don't see how it would really help the parents care for her any better/different. It almost seems like they no longer think of her as their child, but rather a pet or doll, since they refer to her as their "pillow angel" ...I'm sure it's a coping mechanism and something I don't understand since I'm not in their situation.


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carolesuzanne

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Re: 'Pillow Angel' Child Intentionally Stunted

« Reply #6 on: January 11, 2007, 07:15:12 AM »

It sounds to me , like none of you have cared for a disabled person. It is the most harowing and horrid experience you can think of. Even though we love them, their care is so <HARD> No matter how much you love them, you also resent them for the demand they put on you. Right on to the parents who did this. You must make your life worth living too. Not just those you are caring for. This is not new, this has been done for years. It is recommemded by the Docs, when these individuals are born. This was just picked up by the media, believe me ITS NOT NEW.I was done in my own family and we are glad we did it .


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Eric

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Re: 'Pillow Angel' Child Intentionally Stunted

« Reply #7 on: January 11, 2007, 07:52:16 AM »

Thank you for sharing! I really had never heard of this before, so that is rather interesting. It's true that I never have cared for a disabled person, so it was difficult for me to form any kind of opinion & obviously I think differently now.


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