We should have a right to choose our own form of healthcare

"What it boils down to is does the American family have the right to decide on the health of their child or is the government allowed to come in and determine that themselves and threaten one way or the other to split our family up?"

-- Jay Cherrix

A young Virginian of 16 years, Starchild Abraham Cherrix, became "nauseated and weak" after undergoing chemotherapy for his Hodgekin's disease. As a result, he decided to find an alternative to the sometimes lifesaving and sometimes deadly treatment. His choice: eating organic foods, adopting a sugar-free diet, and taking herbal supplements, a treatment being overseen by a clinic in Mexico.

Instead of applauding this young man for his boldness and determination to adopt a newer, healthy diet rather than undergo the painful and ineffective usual treatment, a Virginia judge named his parents "neglectful," ordered that his parents "share custody with the state," and ruled that the 16 year old check into his old clinic by Tuesday.

WHAT?!

One would think that a young man of 16 would be capable of making decisions about his own life, and about his own future. Even if this young man is "incompetent," surely his parents (who wholeheartedly support him) have enough brain power to recognize what is best for THEIR OWN SON.

Furthermore, beyond the concept of what I believe to be one's right to choose one's own form of health care, and beyond a parents' right to make MAJOR decisions about their own children without the government stepping in, I believe it appalling that a judge would order someone to undergo painful and, arguably, unnecessary and ineffective treatment!

I believe that it violates the “dignity of a human being” to have unwanted medical practices forced upon oneself.

The usual treatment from this young man’s cancer made him “nauseated and weak.” Is not subjecting him, against his parents’ and his own wishes, to a medical treatment that has proven harmful and ineffective, tantamount to torture?

This judge should be ashamed of himself for his ruling and RECALL this recent decision!
Let this be a warning to all citizens of America and their children: choose in what state you live carefully, as it may mean the difference between life or death, and your decision to choose between them.

--Xi Hyperon

Please post your stories and comments on this matter. This case will set a dangerous precident, opening new windows of "big-brother" oversight into some of the most personal decisions of our lives. Let me know your thoughts.

--->> Articles referenceing this subject below <<---

CNN .COM
“NORFOLK, Virginia (AP) -- A judge ruled Friday that a 16-year-old boy fighting to use alternative treatment for his cancer must report to a hospital by Tuesday and accept treatment that doctors deem necessary, the family's attorney said.

The judge also found that Starchild Abraham Cherrix's parents were neglectful for allowing him to pursue alternative treatment of a sugar-free, organic diet and herbal supplements supervised by a clinic in Mexico, lawyer John Stepanovich said.

After three months of chemotherapy last year made him nauseated and weak, Abraham rejected doctors' recommendations to go through a second round when he learned early this year that his Hodgkin's disease, a cancer of the lymph nodes, was active again.

A social worker then asked a judge to require the teen to continue conventional treatment. In May, the judge issued a temporary order finding Abraham's parents neglectful and awarding partial custody to the county, with Abraham continuing to live at home with his four siblings.”

http://www.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/07/21/sick.teen.ap/

DAILY PRESS .COM
By DENA POTTER
Associated Press Writer
July 11, 2006

RICHMOND, Va. -- A teen cancer patient fighting for the right to use alternative treatment on his illness told a judge Tuesday what it was like to go through chemotherapy and why he didn't want to relive that.

The judge heard 11 hours of testimony over two days, concluding with nine hours on Tuesday. He is expected to issue a written decision by July 18.

"I told him my story... so he could understand where I was coming from and live through me," 16-year-old Starchild Abraham Cherrix said after the closed hearing ended around 10 p.m.

Abraham, as he's usually called, and his family were in juvenile court in Accomack County to determine whether he can make his own medical decisions and whether he can keep living with his parents and four siblings on Chincoteague, an island off Virginia's Eastern Shore.

Abraham has Hodgin's disease, a cancer of the lymph nodes. Three months of chemotherapy last year made him extremely weak. So when he learned in February that his cancer was active again, he turned _ against doctor's advice--to a sugar-free organic diet, herbs and visits to a clinic in Mexico.

A social worker asked a judge to require the teen to continue conventional treatment.

In May the judge issued a temporary order finding Jay and Rose Cherrix neglectful for supporting their son's choice to pursue alternatives. Judge Jesse E. Demps also ordered the parents to share custody of Abraham with the Accomack County Department of Social Services; they face losing custody completely.

"What it boils down to is does the American family have the right to decide on the health of their child or is the government allowed to come in and determine that themselves and threaten one way or the other to split our family up?" Jay Cherrix said Tuesday night.

Barry Taylor, the family's attorney, said the case had major ramifications not only in Virginia, but across the nation, when it comes to parents' rights to determine what is best for their children.

"I don't think any family in the commonwealth would be comfortable with the fact that a social worker with no medical training could make a medical decision for their child," Taylor said. "It's an assault on the American family."

Social Services officials have declined to comment, citing privacy laws.

Abraham testified for about an hour Tuesday, as did his parents and "a litany of witnesses," Taylor said. Doctors testified for each side.

"We're confident that we will carry the day, if not at this level, then at the next level," Taylor said.

Abraham and his parents think a doctor reported them to Social Services for not continuing with chemotherapy, landing them in court. The judge initially forbid to the family to leave Virginia, then let Abraham return to the Mexican clinic last month after the teen had X-rays to assess his disease.

The X-rays showed the chest tumor had grown mildly, Abraham said.

Abraham said he wouldn't stress over the case as the judge makes his decision. Instead, he'll go back to his regular life of biking with his sister, reading and hiking.

"In the end, everything works out for the best," he said.

http://www.dailypress.com/news/local/virginia/dp-sou--
sickteen0711jul11,0,1865109.story?coll=dp-headlines-virginia
Associated Press Writer Sonja Barisic contributed to this