What do you think about this????? It came from CNN.com


LONDON, England -- A mother is seeking to have the womb of her severely disabled daughter removed to prevent the 15-year-old from feeling the pain and discomfort of menstruation.

Doctors in Britain are now taking legal advice to see if they are permitted to carry out the hysterectomy on Katie Thorpe, who suffers from cerebral palsy.

But a charity campaigning for the disabled said on Monday the move could infringe human rights and would set a "disturbing precedent."

Andy Rickell, executive director of disability charity Scope, told the Press Association: "It is very difficult to see how this kind of invasive surgery, which is not medically necessary and which will be very painful and traumatic, can be in Katie's best interests.

"This case raises fundamental ethical issues about the way our society treats disabled people and the respect we have for disabled people's human and reproductive rights.

"If this enforced sterilization is approved, it will have disturbing implications for young disabled girls across Britain."

Katie's mother Alison Thorpe, who lives in Billericay, southern England, said the operation was in her daughter's best interests.

"First of all, this is not about me. If it was about me, I would have given up caring for Katie a long, long while ago," she told GMTV.

"It is about quality of life and for Katie to not have the associated problems of menstruation adds to her quality of life. It means she can continue with the quality of life we can give her now.

"Katie wouldn't understand menstruation at all. She has no comprehension about what will be happening to her body. All she would feel is the discomfort, the stomach cramps and the headaches, the mood swings, the tears, and wonder what is going on."

Thorpe said an operation would be best for Katie, despite the initial pain it would cause.

She added: "The short-term pain and discomfort we can manage with painkillers. We will be able to manage that pain much better than menstruation once a month, when Katie cannot tell us 'I'm in pain.'" E-mail to a friend E-mail to a friend

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It reminds of that case in the US...

Hospital admits breaking state laws in surgical mutilation of stunted daughter

Um, not cool.

Why can't they just have her on one of the forms of birth control? Many stop periods, and she wouldn't have the problems associated with having a hysterectomy. Mom needs to rethink her situation.

My thoughts exactly! I understand that a special needs child is hard work, but we have to draw the line somewhere. Does she want a 15 year old going through menopause instead??? There are many things that can be done instead.

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I personally don't see the problem with it. It isn't like this child or the child that was listed in the case in the US is going to have children. The government needs to keep their noses out of personal matters. This is truly a parent's choice.

That is just so wrong. Forget about the government getting involved. That is just wrong on a moral level. There are times that the dignity of life needs to be considered. If keeping the child from menstruating is the only reason, that is not a very good reason. It is a natural occurence. Is it convenient? Not really. Is it fun? No, not really. But it is natural and the way human women work. There is a certain dignity associated with that.

You know this is one of those cases that goes beyond what I am capable of deciding. I don't know what is wrong and what is right. I haven't had to deal with a child like this and it's not my place to decide if the mother is right or wrong.

Though I thought (and maybe I am wrong) that sometimes there were side effects with having a hysterectomy.

I just wanted to point out that this is in England in case anyone thought it was here.

So continue the debate!!!

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hello depo anyone?? she can go on the needle and not get her period at all!! there fore no discomfort. but removing the "womb" is just going to cause further medical problems. how can she explain away the discomfort of early menopause and all the suffering she will have from that? or from all the other complications that can arise from having an unnessary hysterectomy? her mother needs to think things through a bit better. surgery wouldn't be best, birth control that is period free would be better.

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From what I understand if you take the womb out but leave in the ovaries you dont get menopause. The needle does not work for everyone - when I was on it I basically had my period every second week.
However I really feel that in this case one needs to step into the parents shoes. Can you imagine having to explain to someone with the emotional maturity and understanding of a five year old why she is having periods. Does not every parent try make their childs life easier?