SURGERY ON DISABLED GIRL

http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/conditions/01/04/ashley.treatment.ap/index.html

I read on the CNN website (see link above) about this 9-year-old bedridden, disabled girl (called Ashley) who had an operation to remove her uterus and breast tissues to stunt her growth. The operation was authorized by her parents who said that the surgery was done for their daughter's benefit and just wanted to improve her quality of life. She is more able to engage in family activities (her stunted growth makes her light and manageable) and will also have less medical problems with breast cancer and bedsores. But many people have complained about the surgery saying that the parents were merely concerned about keeping their daughter in permanent childhood.

I really don' t think that's the case here. Sure, the surgery may have been radical and new but unless one actually experiences taking care of a disabled child 24/7, one cannot really make immediate (and harsh) judgments about decisions such as the surgery done on Ashley. According to the news, I think the parents are only concerned about their daughter and want the best for her. I believe Ashley's parents truly love her. They say, "Even though caring for Ashley involves hard and continual work, she is a blessing and not a burden."