Frozen in time:
the disabled nine-year-old girl who will remain a child all her life
CHICAGO: In a case fraught with ethical questions, the parents of a severely mentally and physically disabled child have stunted her growth to keep their little "pillow angel" a manageable and more portable size.
The 9-year-old girl, who is bedridden, had her uterus and breast tissue removed at a Seattle hospital and received large doses of hormones to halt her growth. She is now 4 feet 5 inches, or 134.6 centimeters, tall. Her parents say she would otherwise probably reach a normal 5 feet 6 inches.
"Ashley's smaller and lighter size makes it more possible to include her in the typical family life and activities that provide her with needed comfort, closeness, security and love: meal time, car trips, touch, snuggles, etc.," her parents wrote.
Also, Ashley's parents say keeping her small will reduce the risk of bedsores and other conditions that can afflict bedridden patients. In addition, they say that preventing her from going through puberty means she will not experience the discomfort of menstrual periods or grow breasts that might develop breast cancer, which runs in the family.
For more information: http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,1982370,00.html
