The Ashley Treatment


I’m sitting here procrastinating. I have my first biomechanics lab tomorrow and I’m scared. So instead of studying, my brain is shutting down and I’m playing online, scrolling through links and watching House. I came across a bookmark for the Ashley Treatment. This is a really fascinating and controversial topic. You can read personal details at:

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

Basically, Ashley is a “pillow angel” with extreme special needs. Her family is invested in keeping her as physically small as possible. Their logic is that it is would be difficult for them if she got big, because they would not be able to include her in things as easily as they can now due to her small size. This means giving her medications and having surgeries that prevent her from going through puberty. Of course, there is a huge medical debate over such treatment and whether it’s ethical. I personally see both sides of the issue and find it fascinating. The blog link above is written by Ashley’s parents and they try to counter-argue all the ethical arguments thrown their way.

What do you all think? I can see both sides of it- and I can’t even imagine what it would be like to be in this situation.

Apr 25, 2007 | Category: Occupational Therapy | Comments: 1