It had to happen sooner or later. The U.K. has its own “Ashley X” or “Pillow Angel” case making headlines right now. Fortunately, disability advocates and activists are much more prominent than they were in coverage of the “Ashley X” case. Coverage in the U.S. was dominated by transhumanists masquerading as “experts” on developmental disabilities and by the medical professionals involved in the radical surgical alteration of “Ashley X.”
Feminist Response in Disability Activism (F.R.I.D.A) has issued a statement on the U.K case that has been endorsed by Not Dead Yet:
Americans With Disabilities Affirm Katie Thorpe’s Right to Bodily Integrity
For Immediate Release:
October 9, 2007
For Information Contact:
Sharon Lamp (847) 803-3258; (847) 894-4907 cell
Amber Smock: Ambity(a)aol.com(Chicago) The American disability rights groups Feminist Response in Disability Activism (FRIDA), with the support of Not Dead Yet, today joins United Kingdom disability groups such as Scope in protesting the planned hysterectomy on 15-year-old Katie Thorpe, who has cerebral palsy. Her mother, Alison Thorpe, wants doctors to remove Katie’s uterus to help her avoid the pain, “inconvenience,” and “indignity” of menstruation.
The clinical director for gynecology, Phil Robarts, is seeking legal approval from the UK hospital system NHS to go forward with the procedure. In the United Kingdom, such a procedure without the consent of the party involved is considered assault, so legal approval would be a first. The surgery is not medically necessary and would be painful and traumatic.
This case is reminiscent of the internationally publicized case of Ashley X, whose parents not only subjected her to a hysterectomy but also breast bud removal and growth attenuation therapy. In such cases, the parents believe that “normal” bodily maturation processes will impair their child’s quality of life. However, these cases tend to involve children and adolescents with disabilities who cannot – or are not allowed to – speak for themselves. Surgical intervention, such as hysterectomy, is not required to save the life of the child involved.