We, the undersigned individuals and organizations, are in agreement that the
growth attenuation therapy administered to the little girl known as Ashley
is an affront to her human dignity, and to that of all people with disabilities.
Despite the good intentions of both her parents and the doctors who have
treated her in accordance with their wishes, we condemn these medical procedures
and declare that it is never ethically acceptable to medically alter a human
being for the benefit of caregivers. Such unnecessary medical procedures
without therapeutic indications demean the essential humanity of the person
undergoing them and of all people with similar disabilities. Whether disabled
or not, people must be given the opportunity to grow and develop according
to their own capacity, whatever that may be. It is the duty of both caregivers
and the hallmark of a progressive, civilized society to provide the means
by which all of us can reach our full human potential.
Ashley is impaired by an unknown brain disorder. Our hearts go out to her
parents, and we recognize that they love Ashley and are trying their best
in very trying circumstances to care for their daughter. But these unnecessary
medical procedures with no demonstrated therapeutic purpose, in which doctors
have surgically and hormonally altered Ashley to remain small and childlike,
are misguided. While it is true that none of us can walk in her parents'
shoes, we believe that this approach to easing the hardship of caring for
a child with disabilities makes the child the problem, and by doing so,
makes it acceptable for well-meaning people to deny the essential humanity
of people with disabilities in the course of caring for them. People with
disabilities are not the problem. The real issue is the lack of support,
care, and help from our social, medical, and civil establishments for Ashley's
parents and for all those who care for people with disabilities. Yes, it
is expensive. But the alternative is morally and ethically unacceptable
in a society that honors life and human dignity. We call on our fellow
citizens, our government, and our medical establishment to treat people
with disabilities as people, not as problems. We stand together and demand
that doctors and social service agencies never again use medicine to strip
someone of their humanity through medical procedures like the "Ashley
Treatment," and call on our legislators to pass laws that codify the right
of people with disabilities to their integrity as people.
To Sign On To The Statement Of Solidarity, GO TO:
http://pub6.bravenet.com/guestbook/501900445
Or contact:
John Meinkowsky, Policy Advocate, ARCIL, Inc.
825 East Rundberg Lane, Suite A-1 Austin, TX 78751
512 832-6349 Fax 512 832-1869 johnm@arcil.com