Aspies For Freedom

I've heard of this before.

I don't know where I stand on this issue. It seems as though this might benefit Ashley because she will be cared for more easily (resulting in her health and happiness), and she won't have to deal with the trouble of being an adult, only having the mind (possibly) and bodily movements of an infant. Menstruation won't become one more item on Ashey's "care" list, so they can do other things, such as cook food for her and feed her, and not have to change her pads at the same time.

On the other hand, What's wrong with severely disabled adults? There are a lot already. Even disabled people should have the right to grow, and have a normal body.

Also, Ashley's parents aren't cruel to her. They enjoy taking care of her and taking her out on holidays. The even call her their "little pillow angel". (A little too much, don't you think?) Apparently they believe that keeping her from growing will help making taking care of her easier, and her overall life easier.

I can see where her parents are coming from with this choice, though if I had a child as disabled as Ashley, I'd probably not do this, and allow the child to grow normally.

I really think that it is up to the parents, and if the child can understand enough to do so then they should decide. Though in cases like these it doesn't seem likely...

I just feel this child has been made into some kind of guinea pig, no matter how well-intentioned the parents' motives are in what they've had done.

But they made this child small by giving her lots of strong hormones as well as the operations. These would make her at more risk of getting cancer later in life. That's why her reproductive organs and breasts had to be removed. I still think it is terrible and agree with Gee's comment.

I also think if she needs so much care, she will need it whether she is big or small in size. I don't know if there is a history of tallness in the family but I believe this kind of thing sets a terrible precedent, so I have to agree with Gee that it is one of the most terrible things I've ever heard about.

It's nothing to do with how tall she might grow to. The parent's just don't want to clean up her *** minge every month.

Yes, much as I hate to say it, that could easily be a factor. They already have to clean up worse than that, so why are they worrying? It seems they are afraid about their daughter developing into a woman. I don't think they were only worried about limiting her size but making her neutered too.

um, aspieteacher who are you yelling at?

Heh. I've been wishing it WERE done to me... then I wouldn't have to worry about periods (which cause extreme pain for me) or wear bras (which are tight and which you can hardly ever get in cotton). And being 4'5" tall... meh, I'm already short at 5'2"; and I don't find any disadvantages to my height that a step stool can't cure. As for looking childish, people assume I'm 14-16 all the time. I'm 23.

So yeah, I'm kind of not so outraged about this one, folks.

That's fine but obviously some people are outraged and they have a right to their opinions too. It's a hard situation but I fear the kind of precedent it might have set.

If her condition is so extreme, how come she could smile and show intelligent expressions on her face? I'm not convinced.

Well, six month old babies do have the ability to smile and connect with their parents; and they say Ashley's about at that level. She's completely conscious and aware of her surroundings; but she's profoundly mentally *** and bedridden... that's what makes her condition "extreme".

But six month old babies can hold up their heads by themselves and roll themselves over. She seems to have the physical development of a newborn baby but the intelligence and emotional development of a somewhat older baby.

I've never doubted that her condition is "extreme" but just question if the "solution" was entirely ethical or appropriate. I can see why the parents want her to be easily cared for in case they die and somebody else is called upon to look after her. It's just a shame that it had to come to the point where she had such invasive treatment to make her stay small.

bed sore come from stay in one postion for to long.

if she is totally aware of herself and sitution she's pobly working from instinct( ie i'm hungry ect.) rather than con-ish desion making.