Helen Henderson's column in today's Toronto Star compares Ashley (the severely disabled girl whose parents are giving her medical treatments to make her small and infertile) with one Rebecca Beayni, who, as a child, had the same diagnosis as Ashley, but is now involved in the community and has a supportive social circle. Without saying so explicity, the article rather implies that "the Ashley treatment" is ill-advised, because if her parents would only do something different, Ashley could end up like Rebecca.
With respect for Ms. Henderson's consistently excellent work, I think this comparison is something of a red herring.. What we know about Ashley has to do entirely with the physical aspects of her treatment. What Ms. Henderson writes about Rebecca has to do entirely with her intellectual, social, and professional life. The two are not incompatible. If Ashley does end up being capable of making the same progress that Rebecca has, "the Ashley treatment" will not hinder her. She will be smaller and infertile, yes, but this does not affect her mental or social capacities. If she ever becomes capable of maintaining a social circle and being involved in the community like Rebecca is, this will not be affected by the presence or absence of her ovaries or by her physical size.
Although it would be interesting to learn what Rebecca thinks of Ashley's treatment...
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