A woman I know through online message boards was on the Dr. Phil Show this week with her son and family. Her son, Jaya, is 1 month older than my son, Jordan, and like Jordan, he has CRS. He doesn't have feeling or movement in his legs, so they have been debating getting his legs disarticulated at the knee.
Click here and page down to A Heartwrenching Decision.
This is a very difficult decision that she has struggled with. I can see both sides of the argument. It is hard because it would be terrible if Jaya had this done and then blames his mother when he gets older and questions why she had it done. It's his body and maybe it should be his decision to make later in life. He won't be a child forever. And maybe there will be medical advances that could help Jaya someday, things that are unimaginable now. How many years ago could we not even imagine pacemakers, MRI, corneal implants, heart transplants? They can GROW BLADDERS now. It seems like nothing is impossible.
Click here and page down to A Heartwrenching Decision.
This is a very difficult decision that she has struggled with. I can see both sides of the argument. It is hard because it would be terrible if Jaya had this done and then blames his mother when he gets older and questions why she had it done. It's his body and maybe it should be his decision to make later in life. He won't be a child forever. And maybe there will be medical advances that could help Jaya someday, things that are unimaginable now. How many years ago could we not even imagine pacemakers, MRI, corneal implants, heart transplants? They can GROW BLADDERS now. It seems like nothing is impossible.
However, it's not that I think he should be "fixed." Walking is a big deal to most people. Seeing someone using a wheelchair conjures up a lot of feelings of pity--that poor person can't walk! When someone like Christopher Reeve says, "I will walk again someday," it inspires us. It is understandable that that person would want to walk again! Who wouldn't?
But that isn't how every wheelchair user actually feels. As “Bad Cripple”
Wheelchairs should be viewed as devices that create independence and mobility. The orthopedic surgeon we see has been trying to get us used to the idea of a wheelchair since Jordan was a baby. He stresses that we use cars every day as a way to get around--just another kind of wheelchair, he says. Really, there is no shame in using a wheelchair. Our son is about to undergo serial casting and might need to use a wheelchair. When I tell people about it, I can see them visibly flinch. It is going to take some getting used to, and it will probably be hard seeing him using it. But we just have to realize that it's a good thing to have one to get around in.
But back to Jaya: we don't need to wait to "fix" him with these great medical advances that might come along someday, with the ultimate goal of having him walk. The important thing is giving him a better quality of life. I know Kristi wants to do what's best for Jaya, and that is what is getting lost in the debate on the message board on the Dr. Phil site. She has researched it and is doing what she thinks is best for her child. She doesn't wish him any harm, only to improve his life. None of us should judge her for that.
But that isn't how every wheelchair user actually feels. As “Bad Cripple”
Wheelchairs should be viewed as devices that create independence and mobility. The orthopedic surgeon we see has been trying to get us used to the idea of a wheelchair since Jordan was a baby. He stresses that we use cars every day as a way to get around--just another kind of wheelchair, he says. Really, there is no shame in using a wheelchair. Our son is about to undergo serial casting and might need to use a wheelchair. When I tell people about it, I can see them visibly flinch. It is going to take some getting used to, and it will probably be hard seeing him using it. But we just have to realize that it's a good thing to have one to get around in.
But back to Jaya: we don't need to wait to "fix" him with these great medical advances that might come along someday, with the ultimate goal of having him walk. The important thing is giving him a better quality of life. I know Kristi wants to do what's best for Jaya, and that is what is getting lost in the debate on the message board on the Dr. Phil site. She has researched it and is doing what she thinks is best for her child. She doesn't wish him any harm, only to improve his life. None of us should judge her for that.
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