In 2006, parents of a severely disabled girl known only as “Ashley”
went public about their decision to submit her to a hysterectomy, breast
surgery and drugs to keep her forever small. One year after going public, they said
the surgeries were the right decision.
“Thankfully, the ‘Ashley treatment’ went smoothly, and it
has been successful in every expected way. Her recovery from surgery was quick
and uneventful, the scars are barely visible,” Ashley’s parents said in an
interview with CNN.
Ashley is now 10 years old and, at 4 feet and 5 inches tall,
has achieved her full height and weight, 63 pounds.
“Ashley did not grow in height or weight in the last year,
she will always be flat-chested, and she will never suffer any menstrual pain,
cramps or bleeding.”
Ashley was born with a condition described as static
encephalopathy, or cerebral palsy. Doctors described her mental capacity as
that of a 6-month-old, dependent upon her parents to meet every need. She is able
neither to talk, nor to walk and she is fed through a tube and wears diapers.
By the time Ashley was 6, her parents approached Children’s
Hospital and Regional Medical Center
in Seattle, Washington, for the operations. They believed
that keeping Ashley small would make it easier to cuddle and carry a child who
can do little more than lie propped on a pillow.
In 2004, Children's Hospital performed a hysterectomy, removed Ashley's
breast buds and gave her high-dose estrogen to retard growth and sexual
maturation -- a procedure that has risks, but to date has not harmed her, her
parents say.
The Ashley’s case has been the subject of controversy since it was first
revealed to the public. Children's Hospital and Regional
Medical Center
in Seattle later
said the surgeries violated state laws and the doctor, who treated the girl,
committed suicide.
However, Ashley’s parents remain convinced what they did for their daughter
is the most loving choice they could have made and want that for other disabled
children as well.
“As parents we have a sacred duty to do what we believe is right for our
children. If parents of children like Ashley believe that this treatment will
improve their children's quality of life, then they should be diligent and
tenacious in providing it for them.
“We feel that if our time and effort ended up helping a single pillow
angel... then it is worthwhile.”
Photo Credit: Parents’ Web Site
