Treatment is anatomical terrorism

8 January 2007

Treatment is anatomical terrorism

The so-called Ashley Treatment, where children are surgically and chemically prevented from maturing into adults, is anatomical terrorism says Disabled Persons Assembly CEO Gary Williams.

Mr Williams was reacting to reports that the parents of a six-year-old disabled girl have had their daughter’s uterus and appendix removed in a range of measures to stop her from maturing into an adult.

‘As I understand it, healthy organs have been removed from a human being - this can’t be nothing more than anatomical terrorism. Once again a disabled person has had their physical integrity violated because they are disabled.

Article17 of the newly adopted UN International Convention of the Rights of People with Disabilities says every person with disabilities has a right to respect for his or her physical and mental integrity on an equal basis with others. We must ensure that disabled kids are especially protected by this law.

My other concern is the implication this treatment has for current and future generations of disabled kids. For example, will this treatment be the “other” choice offered to parents when they do not choose termination?’

Rather than offering parents options which perpetuate negative attitudes, they need early and ongoing support so that they can have positive and rewarding parenting experiences to nurture their children into adulthood.

ENDS