Comments on: “Ashley” and sterilising the severely disabled http://www.blogistan.co.uk/blog/mt.php/2007/01/07/ashley_and_sterilising_the_severely_disabled Politics, tech and media issues from a Muslim perspective Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:41:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Rudy Dyck http://www.blogistan.co.uk/blog/mt.php/2007/01/07/ashley_and_sterilising_the_severely_disabled#comment-867 Rudy Dyck Sat, 15 Mar 2008 20:08:09 +0000 http://www.blogistan.co.uk/ijwp/mt.php/2007/01/07/ashley_and_sterilising_the_severely_disabled#comment-867 For all you judgemental people, if you can possibly muster the ability to picture yourself in the position of any parent dealing with severely handicap children, you should first, choose to understand and then provide support to all these parents. They have the toughest job in raising kids. Most parents who love their disabled children, agonize over decisions they make on their behalf. You judgemental imbeciles should quit playing God and judge these people. God will judge them based on their hearts decision. So for ALL you critical individuals who think they're high & mighty, just remember a couple of wise verses from the bible; "He who is without sin, let him cast the first stone (John 8:7)" & also "judge not unless you want to be judged (Matt 7:1)" BE FORWARNED, God is watching everything that's going on. He will deal fairly with it in the end. Each act needs to be looked at from the intent, not necessarily the act. For all you judgemental people, if you can possibly muster the ability to picture yourself in the position of any parent dealing with severely handicap children, you should first, choose to understand and then provide support to all these parents. They have the toughest job in raising kids. Most parents who love their disabled children, agonize over decisions they make on their behalf. You judgemental imbeciles should quit playing God and judge these people. God will judge them based on their hearts decision. So for ALL you critical individuals who think they’re high & mighty, just remember a couple of wise verses from the bible; “He who is without sin, let him cast the first stone (John 8:7)” & also “judge not unless you want to be judged (Matt 7:1)” BE FORWARNED, God is watching everything that’s going on. He will deal fairly with it in the end. Each act needs to be looked at from the intent, not necessarily the act.

]]> By: Deanie http://www.blogistan.co.uk/blog/mt.php/2007/01/07/ashley_and_sterilising_the_severely_disabled#comment-866 Deanie Sun, 29 Jul 2007 14:25:29 +0000 http://www.blogistan.co.uk/ijwp/mt.php/2007/01/07/ashley_and_sterilising_the_severely_disabled#comment-866 I am a single mother of three children. My oldest, my son, is severely handicapped. Born healthy, he contracted meningitis at 9wks old. It is a miracle he has lived to be 12 years old. I describe him as being a 12yr old boy, trapped in a 2 month old's body; a very LARGE 2 month old's body. He now weighs 80lbs. That's like picking up a 52” 80lb sack of sand. I'll be the first to say, if at the age of 6, I could have done something to keep him smaller, I would. From the day he got sick, I knew things would change. The doctors told me we wouldn’t take him home. He is my angel on loan. His sisters, now 9 and 10yrs old, a home health nurse who’s worked for us for 10 years, and myself care for him daily. Every morning, his sisters and I prepare his morning medications, take him off his feeding pump (he can not swallow,) change his diaper, get him dressed, and sit him up for the morning. We do this every day, not as a chore, but because that is our routine. Through out the day, there are feedings, diaper changes, changing positions, and medications to give. All of which is a part of family time. From the day I brought my new son home from the hospital, I knew this would be his daily routine. His life has dramatically changed over the past 3 years. I haven't been able to give him a bath by myself in almost 2 years. Because of his size, it takes two people to lift him. Having a lift would be some help, but unfortunately my home is too small for a lift. For the past few months, his hips have started aching. They fell out of socket years ago because he doesn't use his legs. His weight has added to the pain of his hip joints. Oh, just to hold him, curled up in my arms again like I use to do would be heaven! I can hold him still, but it is an awkward and difficult task, that usually ends up with one of us in pain. I know one day, he will have to leave home, and be placed in a nursing facility. It won’t be because he has gotten to sick; I’ve got my own personal hospital room at home. It will be because of his size, because I can no longer do it alone. Deanie_Yarbrough@yahoo.com I am a single mother of three children. My oldest, my son, is severely handicapped. Born healthy, he contracted meningitis at 9wks old. It is a miracle he has lived to be 12 years old. I describe him as being a 12yr old boy, trapped in a 2 month old’s body; a very LARGE 2 month old’s body. He now weighs 80lbs. That’s like picking up a 52” 80lb sack of sand. I’ll be the first to say, if at the age of 6, I could have done something to keep him smaller, I would.

From the day he got sick, I knew things would change. The doctors told me we wouldn’t take him home. He is my angel on loan. His sisters, now 9 and 10yrs old, a home health nurse who’s worked for us for 10 years, and myself care for him daily. Every morning, his sisters and I prepare his morning medications, take him off his feeding pump (he can not swallow,) change his diaper, get him dressed, and sit him up for the morning. We do this every day, not as a chore, but because that is our routine. Through out the day, there are feedings, diaper changes, changing positions, and medications to give. All of which is a part of family time. From the day I brought my new son home from the hospital, I knew this would be his daily routine.

His life has dramatically changed over the past 3 years. I haven’t been able to give him a bath by myself in almost 2 years. Because of his size, it takes two people to lift him. Having a lift would be some help, but unfortunately my home is too small for a lift. For the past few months, his hips have started aching. They fell out of socket years ago because he doesn’t use his legs. His weight has added to the pain of his hip joints. Oh, just to hold him, curled up in my arms again like I use to do would be heaven! I can hold him still, but it is an awkward and difficult task, that usually ends up with one of us in pain. I know one day, he will have to leave home, and be placed in a nursing facility. It won’t be because he has gotten to sick; I’ve got my own personal hospital room at home. It will be because of his size, because I can no longer do it alone.

Deanie_Yarbrough@yahoo.com

]]> By: ahowell11 http://www.blogistan.co.uk/blog/mt.php/2007/01/07/ashley_and_sterilising_the_severely_disabled#comment-865 ahowell11 Wed, 24 Jan 2007 04:15:02 +0000 http://www.blogistan.co.uk/ijwp/mt.php/2007/01/07/ashley_and_sterilising_the_severely_disabled#comment-865 My question is for any parent who is reading this....do YOU have a disabled child with the brain functioning of an infant? Why is it that everyone has an opinion on an issue where they have no personal experience...you do not know what you would do unless you are placed in the same situation. And even if in this one specific case, Ashley's treatment is justified, her parents don't need to catch the heat from it. They aren't the ones who will be making the medical decisions for other children like Ashley, the doctors will. My question is for any parent who is reading this….do YOU have a disabled child with the brain functioning of an infant? Why is it that everyone has an opinion on an issue where they have no personal experience…you do not know what you would do unless you are placed in the same situation. And even if in this one specific case, Ashley’s treatment is justified, her parents don’t need to catch the heat from it. They aren’t the ones who will be making the medical decisions for other children like Ashley, the doctors will.

]]> By: ummabdulla http://www.blogistan.co.uk/blog/mt.php/2007/01/07/ashley_and_sterilising_the_severely_disabled#comment-864 ummabdulla Fri, 12 Jan 2007 13:26:31 +0000 http://www.blogistan.co.uk/ijwp/mt.php/2007/01/07/ashley_and_sterilising_the_severely_disabled#comment-864 Assalaamu alaikum, I just happened to see this at the BBC website while looking at something else, and it reminded me of this controversy. From <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/5107360.stm" rel="nofollow"><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/5107360.stm" rel="nofollow">http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/5107360.stm</a></a> Cameroon girls battle 'breast ironing' A nationwide campaign is under way in Cameroon to discourage the widespread practice of "breast ironing". This involves pounding and massaging the developing breasts of young girls with hot objects to try to make them disappear. Statistics show that 26% of Cameroonian girls at puberty undergo it, as many mothers believe it protects their daughters from the sexual advances of boys and men who think children are ripe for sex once their breasts begin to grow... Assalaamu alaikum,

I just happened to see this at the BBC website while looking at something else, and it reminded me of this controversy. From http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/5107360.stm

Cameroon girls battle ‘breast ironing’

A nationwide campaign is under way in Cameroon to discourage the widespread practice of “breast ironing”.

This involves pounding and massaging the developing breasts of young girls with hot objects to try to make them disappear.

Statistics show that 26% of Cameroonian girls at puberty undergo it, as many mothers believe it protects their daughters from the sexual advances of boys and men who think children are ripe for sex once their breasts begin to grow…

]]> By: Muslim Apple http://www.blogistan.co.uk/blog/mt.php/2007/01/07/ashley_and_sterilising_the_severely_disabled#comment-863 Muslim Apple Mon, 08 Jan 2007 20:50:40 +0000 http://www.blogistan.co.uk/ijwp/mt.php/2007/01/07/ashley_and_sterilising_the_severely_disabled#comment-863 Indeed, I agree that it is often easier and faster to do things for the individual with a developmental or physical disabilty but parents out of their love, feelings of guilt, fear, etc. tend to do more than is necessary for their children and in a counterproductive way stunt the development of their children even more. We've had countless cases of individuals that came into our agency after living at home for an extended period of time and were thought incapable of this or that and within a few months or years were able to do things for themselves that no one (or should I say their parents) thought possible. Almost without exception those with severe developmental disabilities have a higher quality of life and acquire more independant living skills the earlier that they interact with community supports away from the 24/7 care of their family. Indeed, I agree that it is often easier and faster to do things for the individual with a developmental or physical disabilty but parents out of their love, feelings of guilt, fear, etc. tend to do more than is necessary for their children and in a counterproductive way stunt the development of their children even more.

We’ve had countless cases of individuals that came into our agency after living at home for an extended period of time and were thought incapable of this or that and within a few months or years were able to do things for themselves that no one (or should I say their parents) thought possible.

Almost without exception those with severe developmental disabilities have a higher quality of life and acquire more independant living skills the earlier that they interact with community supports away from the 24/7 care of their family.

]]> By: Thersites http://www.blogistan.co.uk/blog/mt.php/2007/01/07/ashley_and_sterilising_the_severely_disabled#comment-862 Thersites Mon, 08 Jan 2007 08:36:07 +0000 http://www.blogistan.co.uk/ijwp/mt.php/2007/01/07/ashley_and_sterilising_the_severely_disabled#comment-862 Not just because of "the inabilty of the parents to let them grow", actually. With severely disabled people it is often much quicker and easier to do things for them than to teach them to do them for themselves. "Ashley" seems to be at the most serious end and possibly to be almost- or even completely- unteachable, but the fact remains that if she continues to look like a child she will probably elicit more favourable responses and attention from others in the rest of her life than she would if she matures physically. How far do you carry the consent argument with severely disabled people? Some are not willing to be fed or are very difficult to feed- are we to take this as a sign that they do not consent to be fed or are we to feed them regardless? Not just because of “the inabilty of the parents to let them grow”, actually. With severely disabled people it is often much quicker and easier to do things for them than to teach them to do them for themselves. “Ashley” seems to be at the most serious end and possibly to be almost- or even completely- unteachable, but the fact remains that if she continues to look like a child she will probably elicit more favourable responses and attention from others in the rest of her life than she would if she matures physically.

How far do you carry the consent argument with severely disabled people? Some are not willing to be fed or are very difficult to feed- are we to take this as a sign that they do not consent to be fed or are we to feed them regardless?

]]> By: Susan Nunes http://www.blogistan.co.uk/blog/mt.php/2007/01/07/ashley_and_sterilising_the_severely_disabled#comment-861 Susan Nunes Sun, 07 Jan 2007 18:05:56 +0000 http://www.blogistan.co.uk/ijwp/mt.php/2007/01/07/ashley_and_sterilising_the_severely_disabled#comment-861 It all boils down to consent, and profoundly disabled people are not able to willingly consent to being mutilated, much less killed. Guardians, frankly, cannot be trusted to make those decisions on their behalf. I can't believe, after what happened during World War II, that we are even thinking such procedures are acceptable. It all boils down to consent, and profoundly disabled people are not able to willingly consent to being mutilated, much less killed. Guardians, frankly, cannot be trusted to make those decisions on their behalf.

I can’t believe, after what happened during World War II, that we are even thinking such procedures are acceptable.

]]> By: Muslim Apple http://www.blogistan.co.uk/blog/mt.php/2007/01/07/ashley_and_sterilising_the_severely_disabled#comment-860 Muslim Apple Sun, 07 Jan 2007 15:20:56 +0000 http://www.blogistan.co.uk/ijwp/mt.php/2007/01/07/ashley_and_sterilising_the_severely_disabled#comment-860 Asalamu alaykum, I've been pondering over this issue since I first head about it. My first reaction as a person that works in the developmental disabilty field is disappointment mixed with compassion. Caring for individuals with a range of special needs and especially those that need maximum care is not easy and to have the family as involved as they are is usually a good thing but I also know that in my agency on average the individuals that lived at home the longest until their parents were no longer able to care for them tend to be the ones with the least personal and social skills not because of their disability but due to the inabilty of the parents to let them grow. Asalamu alaykum,

I’ve been pondering over this issue since I first head about it. My first reaction as a person that works in the developmental disabilty field is disappointment mixed with compassion.

Caring for individuals with a range of special needs and especially those that need maximum care is not easy and to have the family as involved as they are is usually a good thing but I also know that in my agency on average the individuals that lived at home the longest until their parents were no longer able to care for them tend to be the ones with the least personal and social skills not because of their disability but due to the inabilty of the parents to let them grow.

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