"Ashley Treatment" - Never Forgotten: a Foster's Home Community

emperor26 · 01-25-2007, 08:14 PM

I read an article on People Magazine a few days ago, and from what I read, there were this couple from Wisconsin that made the decision to stop the growth of their daughter, Ashley, due to the fact that she was suffering from a terminal illness. In other words, she's now a child for the rest of her life.

My feelings about this?

I'm terribly ashame of those parents, as they made a decision that sounds more like eternal torture. Sure, it's not my business and it is the parents decision, by halting her growth, it sounds much worse than death.

Sorry, but I just felt rather sad about this and I feel very sorry for the girl.

If you're curious, here's the link:

http://ashleytreatment.spaces.live.com/

derangedperson · 01-25-2007, 08:55 PM

Christ...

That's terrible.

Jabberwocky · 01-25-2007, 09:14 PM

How is it a bad thing? I don't get it. She'll never have to put up with any of the drawbacks of being a girl. I'm very jealous of her.

kageri · 01-25-2007, 09:44 PM

What people who bash the parents need to remember is that this girl has the mental capacity of a three-month-old baby. She doesn't have a terminal illness, she's just basically a vegetable. She can't roll over or sit up, much less walk, talk, or resent the fact that she's not growing. The trials she would have to endure during/after puberty would be something she wouldn't understand and couldn't have explained to her. She's not missing anything. She'll never be able to have kids anyway, and her family will have to take care of her for the rest of her life, so they have to be able to carry her around.

It makes sense to me. Yeah, it's a little weird and unnatural, but I don't think we should feel sorry for someone who lacks the capacity to even know there's something they need to be sorry about.

Sparky · 01-25-2007, 10:05 PM

I have to agree. Especially about the hysterectomy. And keeping her from growing will just make it easier to care for her, and allow for more physical contact, which is good for her. I don't really see any reason to object to the parents' decision. But I'm not one to get all up in complete strangers' business (nope, no Jerry for me!).

HappyFoppy · 01-25-2007, 10:12 PM

In one word, this is pretty much one of the most terrible things that can happen to a child.

Cassini90125 · 01-25-2007, 10:19 PM

It's the parent's decision to make; they know their situation better than anyone. I do not think they should be praised for it, nor do I think they should be condemned. I do think, however, that they should be left alone.

One Radical Dude · 01-25-2007, 10:28 PM

I think it's sad that she's not going to live a full life. True, she's not going to have children or will experience things in life most would experience. I may be alone, but to me, it's not a good thing that she's not going to have a chance to grow up and do some of the more grown-up things in life. I don't have a problem with folks saying "she's not missing anything", I do disagree respectfully. I'm not going to say anything about the parents, because truthfully, I don't think it would've mattered what to do with the girl. That's where I stand.

Voxxyn · 01-26-2007, 12:19 AM

I feel very bad regardless.

Carlaz · 01-26-2007, 10:59 AM

Terribly sad. My heart goes out to this family.

01-25-2007, 08:14 PM	#1
emperor26 Foster's Legend Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: California Posts: 725	"Ashley Treatment" I read an article on People Magazine a few days ago, and from what I read, there were this couple from Wisconsin that made the decision to stop the growth of their daughter, Ashley, due to the fact that she was suffering from a terminal illness. In other words, she's now a child for the rest of her life. My feelings about this? I'm terribly ashame of those parents, as they made a decision that sounds more like eternal torture. Sure, it's not my business and it is the parents decision, by halting her growth, it sounds much worse than death. Sorry, but I just felt rather sad about this and I feel very sorry for the girl. If you're curious, here's the link: http://ashleytreatment.spaces.live.com/ __________________ See ya! Last edited by emperor26; 01-25-2007 at 08:15 PM.

01-25-2007, 08:55 PM	#2
derangedperson Newly Abandoned NYARGH! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 40	Christ... That's terrible. __________________ Uh...do what now?

01-25-2007, 09:14 PM	#3
Jabberwocky Permanent Resident I could be violet sky! Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: High in the middle, round on the ends. Posts: 253	How is it a bad thing? I don't get it. She'll never have to put up with any of the drawbacks of being a girl. I'm very jealous of her. Last edited by Jabberwocky; 01-25-2007 at 09:15 PM.

01-25-2007, 09:44 PM	#4
kageri Polkameister FORTY-SEVEN, YES. I MEAN TWO. Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,873	What people who bash the parents need to remember is that this girl has the mental capacity of a three-month-old baby. She doesn't have a terminal illness, she's just basically a vegetable. She can't roll over or sit up, much less walk, talk, or resent the fact that she's not growing. The trials she would have to endure during/after puberty would be something she wouldn't understand and couldn't have explained to her. She's not missing anything. She'll never be able to have kids anyway, and her family will have to take care of her for the rest of her life, so they have to be able to carry her around. It makes sense to me. Yeah, it's a little weird and unnatural, but I don't think we should feel sorry for someone who lacks the capacity to even know there's something they need to be sorry about. __________________ "(NOTE: these companies are from the country that makes the best video games: JAPAN!)" Last edited by kageri; 01-25-2007 at 09:48 PM.

01-25-2007, 10:05 PM	#5
Sparky Undisputed Ruler of Terrencania Am not Slave-O-Matic! Am Johnny Five! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 5,711	I have to agree. Especially about the hysterectomy. And keeping her from growing will just make it easier to care for her, and allow for more physical contact, which is good for her. I don't really see any reason to object to the parents' decision. But I'm not one to get all up in complete strangers' business (nope, no Jerry for me!). __________________ Custom Machine Embroidery & More

01-25-2007, 10:12 PM	#6
HappyFoppy This rank is six words long STFU AND DANCE Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Hotel Hotel Posts: 597	In one word, this is pretty much one of the most terrible things that can happen to a child.

01-25-2007, 10:19 PM	#7
Cassini90125 The Postmaster Love gives you courage that's stronger than anything! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Saturn Posts: 6,645	It's the parent's decision to make; they know their situation better than anyone. I do not think they should be praised for it, nor do I think they should be condemned. I do think, however, that they should be left alone. __________________ "Frankie! That weird kid is using a flower pot for a cup!" Sailor Moon. Best Anime EVER.

01-25-2007, 10:28 PM	#8
One Radical Dude Big Insensitive Jerkface Still Awesome Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 2,738	I think it's sad that she's not going to live a full life. True, she's not going to have children or will experience things in life most would experience. I may be alone, but to me, it's not a good thing that she's not going to have a chance to grow up and do some of the more grown-up things in life. I don't have a problem with folks saying "she's not missing anything", I do disagree respectfully. I'm not going to say anything about the parents, because truthfully, I don't think it would've mattered what to do with the girl. That's where I stand. __________________ Visit these pages: Facebook, Twitter, Google+

01-26-2007, 12:19 AM	#9
Voxxyn Banned Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Zebes Posts: 1,069	I feel very bad regardless.

01-26-2007, 10:59 AM	#10
Carlaz Foster's Legend Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 860	Terribly sad. My heart goes out to this family.