The Ashley Treatment Description

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The “Ashley Treatment” also referred to as “Pillow Angel” was based on the controversial set of medical procedures undergone by the Seattle child named Ashley X. Ashley was born in 1997 and was diagnosed with static encephalopathy of unknown etiology. She’s able to breath on her own, sleeps, awaken, and response to environmental stimuli; however, due to the cause of her severe developmental disabilities, Ashley is unable to raise her head, sit up, holds an object, walk, talk, and must be fed through a gastrostomy tube. Also, according to Robert W. Newsom, 2009, “ Ashley is able to experience the cognitive and emotional life of, at best, a typical 3-to-6 month old child.”
The intent of “Ashley Treatment” was to improve Ashley’s quality of life by limiting her growth size, eliminating menstrual cramps and bleeding, and prevent discomfort from large breast. In order for the treatment to be successful, Ashley had undergone multiple surgeries that include, hysterectomy to eliminate future menstrual cramps and bleeding and removal of breast tissue to avoid the discomfort of fully formed breast later in life. Also, because of the treatment, she need to received estrogen hormonal therapy. According to Robert W. Newsom, 2009, over the period of 3 years, Ashley received high dose of estrogen, a growth attenuation treatment that will result in her remaining relatively small stature, perhaps 4 feet 6 inches tall and weighing about 65 or 70 pounds.” The combination of multiple surgeries and estrogen hormonal treatment attracted public opinion and ethical analysis, both supportive and condemning.
Supportive of “Ashley Treatment” believe that it is for the best interest not only for Ashley X but also for those children that suffer with severe...

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...r Quality of Life for “Pillow Angels”. Retrieved March 4, 2014, from http://pillowangel.org/Ashley%20Treatment%20v7.pdf
Dr. Diekema (2011, May 19). Ashley treatment | Mysteries and Questions Surrounding the Ashley X Case. Retrieved March 4, 2014, from http://huahima.wordpress.com/tag/ashley-treatment/
Newson, R. W. (2009, November 1). Ashley X - so go ahead and hate me for it, but... | Robert Newsom - Academia.edu. Retrieved March 4, 2014, from http://www.academia.edu/405407
Pilkington, E., & McVeigh, K. (2012, March 15). 'Ashley treatment' on the rise amid concerns from disability rights groups | Society | theguardian.com. Retrieved March 4, 2014, from http://www.theguardian.com/society/2012/mar/15/ashley-treatment-rise-amid-concerns
SingleDad (2009, October 18). Ashley Treatment One person's opinion. Retrieved March 4,
2014, from http://www.ashleytreatment.info

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