Your child's health--debate


Guest Andrea

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Guest Andrea

Very interesting story. I wonder how many of us would allow our own children to determine their "fate" like this.

Fox News----

"NORFOLK, Va. — A 16-year-old cancer patient's legal fight ended in victory Wednesday when his family's attorneys and social services officials reached an agreement that would allow him to forgo chemotherapy.

At the start of what was scheduled to be a two-day hearing, Accomack County Circuit Judge Glen A. Tyler announced that both sides had reached a consent decree, which Tyler approved.

Under the decree, Starchild Abraham Cherrix, who is battling Hodgkin's disease, will be treated by an oncologist of his choice who is board-certified in radiation therapy and interested in alternative treatments. The family must provide the court updates on Abraham's treatment and condition every three months until he's cured or turns 18.

Tyler emphasized that the decree states that the parents weren't medically neglectful.

Abraham saw the doctor last week, and defense attorneys told the judge that the doctor has indicated that he thinks that Abraham can be cured.

After the short hearing, the judge looked at Abraham and said, "God bless you, Mr. Cherrix."

Rest of the story

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Guest Andrea

Re: Your child\'s health--debate

Well, don't everyone speak up at once.

I for one have a problem with letting my child, whether they are 10 or 17 ( even 18!!) decide what's good for them medically...especially when their life is in the balance.

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Re: Your child\'s health--debate

I believe that a person should control their own destiny! That includes children who can make their own decisions.

Over the years, I have seen it happen so many times that other people make the decision for those who are sick! I believe that is nothing but personal selfish greed and that is not respecting the person who is ill!

Most people do not want to let go and that is what keeps a sick person going through this torture! That is not right in my opinion!

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Guest Andrea

Re: Your child\'s health--debate

[ QUOTE ]

Starchild???

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Um yeah, I'm figuring his parents are probably named Moondust and Flower. Hence the reason why they wanna go "herbal" with the treatments. crazy.gif

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Re: Your child\'s health--debate

The family must provide the court updates on Abraham's treatment and condition every three months until he's DEAD.

What an idiot. All I can say is that when this starflower kid kills himself, the gene pool will be a little cleaner.

If it were my child, I would first try to talk some sense into him. Then he would go to the hospital my way or my way to get the treatments to save his life. Hodgkins is pretty curable with chemo and treatment. He will most certainly die without it. The way I see it, he could argue with me about how I was wrong when I am 80 and he is 55 rather than having to bury him at 17.

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Re: Your child\'s health--debate

From what I heard...which is little....this kid is concerned about losing his hair and how he would feel during treatments.

I believe in personal freedom in this country except where my kids are concerned. The bill of rights ends where my walking DNA begins. I would drag him in there in handcuffs and duct tape if I had to.

What will be interesting is who these people blame when they bury their son.

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Re: Your child\'s health--debate

[ QUOTE ]

I have seen it happen so many times that other people make the decision for those who are sick! I believe that is nothing but personal selfish greed and that is not respecting the person who is ill!

Most people do not want to let go and that is what keeps a sick person going through this torture! That is not right in my opinion!

[/ QUOTE ]

In a way I have to agree with Orlan on this.

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Re: Your child\'s health--debate

This is a life threatening disease and the young man should have a say in it. If he is making well informed decisions and one's that are not going to hurt him then go for it. If you've ever seen anyone go through chemo then you know what he had in store for him. I hope he beats this and finds a healthy life, thats for sure

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Re: Your child\'s health--debate

[ QUOTE ]

From what I heard...which is little....this kid is concerned about losing his hair and how he would feel during treatments.

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While I have kind of mixed thoughts on this topic and tend to agree with Orlan, if this is the sole reason for the kid refusing treatement, then no he/she would not have a say. If it is to the point of extreme suffering and the child has little hope, and they are at an age and in a frame of mind where they are competent, then the decision should be theirs to make with counseling.

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Re: Your child\'s health--debate

I would like to follow-up on this!

We had a young boy here in town with cancer. He was 10 years old and his parents put that poor kid through ****! He had asked many times for them to quit all the chemo and radiation and they would not do it! After 2 years of this crap, he finally passed away and is now at peace!

My father had major heart problems and my brother and his wife talked my mother into having tests done that my father had refused to have done. After the tests, my father was in horrible pain and only lived for about 1 week!

If this kid is against loosing his hair and that is the bottom line, then I believe it should be looked at. However, if the kid has decided that he just wants to live out his life, as short as it might be, then allow him to do so!

I believe that when a person puts themselves through a lot of pain that is their decision. The only problem is that is also puts the family through a lot of pain also!

If parents put their children through this, then it is just the parents who cannot let go and not for the benefit of the child!

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  • 14 years later...

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