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Title: The Mysteries of Mental Age (The parents of a severely disabled 9-year-old Seattle girl have stunted her growth)
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URL Source: http://www.wired.com/news/technolog ... /0,72569-0.html?tw=wn_index_13
Published: Feb 8, 2007
Author: Randy Dotinga
Post Date: 2007-02-08 15:06:22 by Jethro Tull
Keywords: None
Views: 351
Comments: 15
By Randy Dotinga 02:00 AM Feb, 07, 2007 The parents of a severely disabled 9-year-old Seattle girl have stunted her growth and had her breasts and uterus removed in what they say is an effort to keep her comfortable, happy and portable. She does, after all, have the mind of a three-month-old baby. Or does she? No one is arguing that an intellectual mind is hidden inside the now-famous girl known only as "Ashley." But determining mental age is not a precise science. While assigning a mental age may give Ashley's parents some comfort, determining that number is based largely on guesswork. "How do we know how a three-month-old thinks? We don't," said Cory Silverberg, a sexuality counselor who works with disabled people. "We know the observable output of their cognitions. And we guess. True, they are educated guesses, but I'd rather not mutilate a girl on the basis of an educated guess." Ashley's unique case caused a media uproar last month, and her parents attracted much criticism for her medical treatment. Still, an ethics board at Seattle Children's Hospital approved the therapy, leaving the public and many ethicists to wonder how the board made its decision. The hospital did not respond to requests for comment for this story - Snip
Poster Comment: Real tough call, but if she does in fact have the mental capacity of a three-month-old, based on the best science available to us, I agree with the parents decision.
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#1. To: Jethro Tull (#0)
i would say that's a pretty good determiner of ashley's mental age. i agree with you. it was a tough call, but imagine her having an adult body with all the problems and, most likely, much discomfort she'd have to endure. thank god for our healthy children.
I can't see why anyone would expect parents, who are already dealing with tragedy on a daily basis, should be asked to take on the additional burden of caring for an infant trapped in an adult body. Their ticket to heaven is already punched IMO, but I'm sure some would disagree.
This is so sad for all involved. I can't blame the parents at all due to exactly what you stated. One has to remember, before judging, that [most likely] were it not for the advances in science, that whatever god one believes in would have taken her soon after birth. They can still give her as happy a life as a 3 month old could expect without the extra problems associated with the adult body; in fact, I would say a happier one.
In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act - - George Orwell These parents sicken me, they want a pet, not a daughter. I'm a pussy, I've never had an operation, but I imagine I wouldn't like it one bit.
sometimes there just aren't enough belgians
One would think in the age of science we live in, there would be NO birth defects. They're able to do all kinds of shit to prolong and improve life expectancy, one would guess that we should be able to wipe out retardation and developmental problems in the womb. Think of the lack of suffering we'd have if we had eliminated birth defects and mental disorders. We'd have a free country, not to mention our leaders wouldn't be so fucking laughable.
Ashley cannot hold a toy, sit up or speak, according to her parents
#2. To: christine, all (#1)
#3. To: Jethro Tull, christine (#2)
I can't see why anyone would expect parents, who are already dealing with tragedy on a daily basis, should be asked to take on the additional burden of caring for an infant trapped in an adult body. Their ticket to heaven is already punched IMO,
Law Enforcement Against Prohibition
In a CorporoFascist capitalist society, there is no money in peace, freedom, or a healthy population, and therefore, no incentive to achieve these - - IndieTX
#4. To: Jethro Tull (#0)
#5. To: Jethro Tull (#0)
 | This country's priorities are all fucked up. |
#6. To: Dakmar (#4)
It's not that, it's the daily care. I'm not saying I agree with what they've done, but I can understand how caring for a small person is easier than for a large one.
Those who make you believe in absurdities can make you commit atrocities. – Voltaire
#7. To: robin (#6)
Don't make me post chinese foot-taping picture...
sometimes there just aren't enough belgians
#8. To: Jethro Tull (#0)
I could possibly see having her uterus removed but her breasts?? that to me is despicable.. extremely painful for one thing..
#9. To: Dakmar (#7)
Foot binding to cripple/hobble women to insure their obedience (like not running away), is not the same thing! The daily care of an incontinent patient is no easy task, made more difficult with every pound.
Those who make you believe in absurdities can make you commit atrocities. – Voltaire
#10. To: TommyTheMadArtist (#5)
They can do sex-change operations for weirdos, yet very little is done to prevemt weirdos. Something like that... :)
Think of the lack of suffering we'd have if we had eliminated birth defects and mental disorders.
sometimes there just aren't enough belgians
#11. To: Zipporah (#8)
I dunno what that was about either.
Those who make you believe in absurdities can make you commit atrocities. – Voltaire
#12. To: Zipporah (#8)
C'mon, can't someone find a copy of Bowies "China Doll"?
I could possibly see having her uterus removed but her breasts?? that to me is despicable.. extremely painful for one thing..
sometimes there just aren't enough belgians
#13. To: robin (#9)
That doesn't give you the right to prune them.
Foot binding to cripple/hobble women to insure their obedience (like not running away), is not the same thing! The daily care of an incontinent patient is no easy task, made more difficult with every pound.
sometimes there just aren't enough belgians
#14. To: Dakmar (#13)
Perhaps not.
Those who make you believe in absurdities can make you commit atrocities. – Voltaire
#15. To: robin (#11)
Disgusting if you ask me.. also the stunting of her growth ..WTF is that?
I dunno what that was about either.
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