A Statement of Solidarity for the Dignity of People With Disabilities: A Petition in reaction to the Ashley Treatment

click above to check out and sign a petition dealing with the Ashley Treatment.

It begins:

"We, the undersigned individuals and organizations, are in agreement that the growth attenuation therapy administered to the little girl known as Ashley is an affront to her human dignity, and to that of all people with disabilities. Despite the good intentions of both her parents and the doctors who have treated her in accordance with their wishes, we condemn these medical procedures and declare that it is never ethically acceptable to medically alter a human being for the benefit of caregivers. Such unnecessary medical procedures without therapeutic indications demean the essential humanity of the person undergoing them and of all people with similar disabilities...."

and it ends with:

" People with disabilities are not the problem. The real issue is the lack of support, care, and help from our social, medical, and civil establishments for Ashley's parents and for all those who care for people with disabilities. Yes, it is expensive. But the alternative is morally and ethically unacceptable in a society that honors life and human dignity. We call on our fellow citizens, our government, and our medical establishment to treat people with disabilities as people, not as problems. We stand together and demand that doctors and social service agencies never again use medicine to strip someone of their humanity through medical procedures like the "Ashley Treatment," and call on our legislators to pass laws that codify the right of people with disabilities to their integrity as people. "

Go over and check out the whole thing.