Parents can sterilze 11 year old girl

[MM27]

That should say sterilize, by the way
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2010/03/10/2010-03-10_parents_win_approval_to_have_disabled_11yearold_daughter_undergo_sterilization_b.html
Thank goodness that there are judges out there that have common sense.

By an order of the court, Angela, age 11, will never have a baby.

In an agonizing landmark ruling in Australia, the parents of a profoundly disabled girl won the right to have her sterilized, according to London's Daily Mail.

A judge in Queensland said it was in the best interests of the girl, identified only as Angela, to have a hysterectomy, the Mail reported.

Little Angela suffers from Rett syndrome, a neurodevelopmental disorder. Girls with Rett syndrome are prone to gastrointestinal disorders and seizures.

Angela entered puberty at the age of 9. Her parents believe that her periods trigger epileptic fits.

Her parents had to ask the court for permission after a 1992 ruling that prohibited parents from simply signing off on serious, invasive, irreversible medical procedures for their children.
On Tuesday, judge Paul Cronin said he made the order to improve Angela’s quality of life.

Angela cannot talk and does not have the coordination to use sign language.

According to the Mail’s story, she behaves like a 3-month-old baby would. She has a special walking frame into which she has to be strapped because she cannot stand unsupported.

Angela’s mother told the court that epileptic seizures appeared to be triggered by Angela’s periods, which also caused her pain and fatigue.

Three of Queensland’s leading gynecologists agreed a hysterectomy was the best treatment.
Advocates for the disabled immediately branded the forced sterilization of any girl an abuse of human rights.

Carolyn Frohmader, chief executive of Women with a Disability Australia, told the Australian newspaper: “It is only ever the disabled girls - when you go through the cases, there is never a boy, no matter how intellectually disabled, who has to be sterilized.”

National Council on Intellectual Disability chief Mark Patterson admitted the issue is a very difficult one.

He’s quoted in the mail, saying, “We take the pragmatic approach. It doesn’t help families in their day-to-day lives if we say we are not going to allow sterilization.”

Parents of disabled children in online forums were strongly in favor, with one mother saying: “I am totally with Angela’s parents on this one. I have a severely disabled daughter and I am still to this day fighting for her to have a hysterectomy.

 

[Magic Mom]

I'm glad for her and her family. Hopefully this will bring some small amount of relief. It's sad that activists are more interested in their cause than her actual life difficulties. She has no chance of ever wanting to conceive a child. This will have no effect on her future opportunities or happiness so arguing against it is clearly just pushing their own agenda. They are using this family's tragedy to promote their cause.

 

[golfgal]

I'm glad for her and her family. Hopefully this will bring some small amount of relief. It's sad that activists are more interested in their cause than her actual life difficulties. She has no chance of ever wanting to conceive a child. This will have no effect on her future opportunities or happiness so arguing against it is clearly just pushing their own agenda. They are using this family's tragedy to promote their cause.

Or worse yet, she does conceive a child through rape or something else...

 

[SandrA9810]

Boys don't have to go through anything a girl does... why would they even bring that up?? Completely different antomy.

In anycase, I'm definatly in favor of this ruling. I truely think it's in the best interest of the girl.

Seriously, it's not like the girl will ever be in the position of having sex, let alone getting pregnant, who knows what complications would come of it. These groups against it, seem like they want to use these girls for surrogate mothers or something...

 

[Aisling]

It seems like the best thing to do in Angela's case. I'm happy for the parents.

 

[Heidict]

Good, I'm glad the court made the right decision. The one that was in the best interests for her health and well being.

I remember hearing about another case like this one. I was couple of years ago. Wonder if it is the same girl or a different one?

 

[happygirl]

That is 100% right thing to do for this girl

 

[laurie31]

Those "advocates" should try taking care of someone with the intellectual capabilities of a 3 month old and the body of an adult. Just from the caregiver's perspective it's really difficult to take care of a profoundly disabled girl's hygiene needs once she reachs puberty. Add to that, that her periods were causing her to have SEIZURES, and I can't see how this is anything but in her best interests.

A profoundly disabled boy wouldn't be experiencing undue suffering for one of every 4 weeks if he were not sterilized, nor would he likely be able to impregnate anyone, so it's irrevelant to compare a boy to a girl in this case.

I think the judge and the parents have made the right choice.

 

[Katieinwonderland]

My cousin has Rett Syndrome, and I 100% agree with this ruling. It sounds like it will bring her and her family a better quality of life, and with a disease like this, any chance for even a slightly better life is a good thing.

These activists make me really mad. They have NO IDEA what it's like to care for someone with this condition, they need to mind their own business and leave the family alone.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

In this case I am happy for the family.

If the medical establishment could prove that the hysterectomy was the best course of care, then it would be inhumane to do nothing.

They don't sterilize boys in that condition b/c DUH--their is condition isn't medically affected by their reproductive system. Idiots!!!

Three GYN's agreed so at leats they had multiple experts weigh in.

For that matter--all of her health care is "forced" b/c she is unable to communicate and make any decisions for herself.

 

[minkydog]

Seriously, it's not like the girl will ever be in the position of having sex, let alone getting pregnant, who knows what complications would come of it.

Unfortunately, pregnancy in this population is not as uncommon as you may think. Persons of each gender are at much higher risk for all forms of abuse than the rest of the population. Often they can't speak for themselves so it is very easy to take advantage of them.

Those "advocates" should try taking care of someone with the intellectual capabilities of a 3 month old and the body of an adult. Just from the caregiver's perspective it's really difficult to take care of a profoundly disabled girl's hygiene needs once she reachs puberty. Add to that, that her periods were causing her to have SEIZURES, and I can't see how this is anything but in her best interests.

A profoundly disabled boy wouldn't be experiencing undue suffering for one of every 4 weeks if he were not sterilized, nor would he likely be able to impregnate anyone, so it's irrevelant to compare a boy to a girl in this case.

I think the judge and the parents have made the right choice.

I agree. My son DS14 is profoundly mentally handicapped and it's hard enough to take care of him without adding that whole monthly visitor. I just THANK GOD he can never get pregnant. I don't even like to think that someone would ever abuse him, but sadly, I know how easy it would be to pull off.

I took care of a 23yo profoundly mentally handicapped young woman while her parents went out of town for their other daughter's college graduation. She was really sweet, no trouble at all. Mom & Dad gave us all the details and the last thing they said was "she's not due to start for another week or so." Well, you know what happened. What a mess. She had cramps, but she couldn't understand. We gave her some Tylenol, but she just sat there rubbing her tummy. Her parents have tried for several years to get a court order allowing hysterectomy. It was really eye-opening for me.

 

[golfgal]

Unfortunately, pregnancy in this population is not as uncommon as you may think. Persons of each gender are at much higher risk for all forms of abuse than the rest of the population. Often they can't speak for themselves so it is very easy to take advantage of them.



I agree. My son DS14 is profoundly mentally handicapped and it's hard enough to take care of him without adding that whole monthly visitor. I just THANK GOD he can never get pregnant. I don't even like to think that someone would ever abuse him, but sadly, I know how easy it would be to pull off.

I took care of a 23yo profoundly mentally handicapped young woman while her parents went out of town for their other daughter's college graduation. She was really sweet, no trouble at all. Mom & Dad gave us all the details and the last thing they said was "she's not due to start for another week or so." Well, you know what happened. What a mess. She had cramps, but she couldn't understand. We gave her some Tylenol, but she just sat there rubbing her tummy. Her parents have tried for several years to get a court order allowing hysterectomy. It was really eye-opening for me.

Couldn't they at least put the poor girl on the pill so she doesn't have to deal with the cramps?

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I remember hearing about another case like this one. I was couple of years ago. Wonder if it is the same girl or a different one?

I remember a case a few years ago where the parents wanted to do something...maybe a hysterectomy?...to stunt her growth so that she wouldn't grow too big and they could continue to care for her themselves. I remember it being discussed on the DIS too. If it's that case, it's not the same one.

I think they made the best decision. Those advocates are screwballs.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I remember a case a few years ago where the parents wanted to do something...maybe a hysterectomy?...to stunt her growth so that she wouldn't grow too big and they could continue to care for her themselves. I remember it being discussed on the DIS too. If it's that case, it's not the same one.

Here's a link to that discussion on the DIS. The link in the thread to the news article no longer brings you there.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1266930&highlight=hysterectomy+stunt+growth

 

[minkydog]

Couldn't they at least put the poor girl on the pill so she doesn't have to deal with the cramps?

I believe she was getting the Depo-Provera shots. They usually make it so you only have cycles every 3 months or so.

 

[LJC1861]

This is such a controversial issue, and I TOTALLY agree that in this case the right decision was made for both Angela and her parents.

I work with teenagers with severe Autism. I have 5 girls on my caseload. 4 of them deal with issues surrounding their menses, and one like Angela has seizures just prior to hers. 2 of my girls have an incredibly difficult time each month, and 2 others have taken years to learn how to care for themselves in the most basic fashion.

One of my girls was lucky enough to have had a hysterectomy at age 10. She started her period at 9 and had severe seizures and self injurious behavior in the form of severe head banging when hers started. It was extremely traumatic for her and her parents. They needed a court order and exams by several different gynecologists to state that this was in the best interest of the girl.

While it might seem extreme to some, back in the days when people with developmental disabilities were institutionalized almost all were routinely sterilized. People were not given a choice, it was just done. In some states anyone who was deemed in any way "defective" for any reason could be sterilized without their consent.

I think there needs to be a more practical middle of the road approach. From a caregivers perspective it is torturous to watch my girls suffer each month. Some are on various forms of birth control to regulate their cycles, but even that is not perfect as some are extremely sensitive to medications. I wish the path to a better life for their children were easier for their parents and guardians. Most are advised to NOT try as the process is so difficult. Instead they are forced to sit back and watch as we try various medical options. Maybe someday the pendulum will swing back and this process will become a bit easier for those with severe disabilities.

Just my thoughts.

Linda

 

[Kit'smommy]

Poor thing. I think the right decision was made in this case.

 

[NHdisneylover]

It sounds like the right decision was made in this case. I can see that it is probably very important to have court oversight in such cases, but at teh same time I would hope that the process could be made as painless as possible for the families involved. I think having multiple doctors testify that is for the best for the girl should nearly always be sufficeint "evidence."
I also agree with others that those protesting clearly have their own agendas in mind and not the girl's quality of life and that comparing a boy to a girl in this type of issue is ludicrous.

 

[MrsPete]

I'm glad for her and her family. Hopefully this will bring some small amount of relief. It's sad that activists are more interested in their cause than her actual life difficulties. She has no chance of ever wanting to conceive a child. This will have no effect on her future opportunities or happiness so arguing against it is clearly just pushing their own agenda. They are using this family's tragedy to promote their cause.

This seems so blatantly clear to me that I can't even grasp the activist's point of view. This girl will never WANT a baby, never be able to CARE FOR a baby, never be able to PROVIDE FOR a baby. This route is so much kinder and better for everyone.

I understand the concept of the slippery slope -- you do what seems so obviously right in this case, and then the next time it's easier to get approval, then the third case is easier still until you reach the point that anyone with any disability is rubber-stamped for sterilization. We all know that the Nazis did some of this back before WWII . . . but common sense and compassion has to come into play at some point.

Unfortunately, pregnancy in this population is not as uncommon as you may think. Persons of each gender are at much higher risk for all forms of abuse than the rest of the population. Often they can't speak for themselves so it is very easy to take advantage of them.

Deplorable.

 

[Took]

This seems so blatantly clear to me that I can't even grasp the activist's point of view. This girl will never WANT a baby, never be able to CARE FOR a baby, never be able to PROVIDE FOR a baby. This route is so much kinder and better for everyone.

I understand the concept of the slippery slope -- you do what seems so obviously right in this case, and then the next time it's easier to get approval, then the third case is easier still until you reach the point that anyone with any disability is rubber-stamped for sterilization. We all know that the Nazis did some of this back before WWII . . . but common sense and compassion has to come into play at some point. Deplorable.

I agree with you. The slippery slope argument is often a technique used by extremists of various kinds to stop any progress or pratical change. It seems as if the Aussies put stop gaps into place (three doctors, etc.) to ensure the "forced" sterilization doesn't get abused. Good decision.