I’m thinking of two specific cases (the “Hartley Hooligans” and “Jaxon Strong”) [and this has nothing to do with the obvious exploitation by the parents – that’s a whole different subject -, but an example of the kind of disabilities I’m referring to], but this can apply to anything similar. Basically, let’s say two parents have a child that is born with severe birth defects/a profound disability/condition, that gives them little to no quality of life. Along with this, the child also displays little to no provable mental capacity. What they are able to convey appears to be mostly distress, and it’s obvious that they are never going to be able to live a normal life.
People will say “This child is clearly suffering, they shouldn’t be alive” or “The parents should’ve terminated the pregnancy when they found out the child would be this severely disabled” (again, that’s a whole different topic, but that’s not what this is about).
But they never say what’s meant to be done.
Let’s take that statement: The child is only suffering, they have little to no quality of life, and little to no mental capacity.
So now what?
What do these commenters think should honestly, reasonably “done” with this child?
Are they implying that the child should be humanely euthanized so their suffering isn’t prolonged? Thing is, active euthanasia is illegal in all 50 states, and physician assisted death is only legal in a handful of states. Is the implication that passive euthanasia (“pulling the plug”, so to speak) should be performed? Allow the child to die so that they no longer have to suffer?
Although this is likely the most humane option (for children with conditions as severe as the two cases I mentioned in the beginning), there are tons of legal hurdles that will get in the way.
So euthanasia isn’t necessarily an “easy” option here.
What, then, is?
Comments
Why do you suddenly shift from unborn to born life?
Those quotes refer to feti, so people suggest abortions.
I have never heard of killing disabled children in our modern times.
Comfort care, palliative care and hospice. I worked severe & profound SPED for a while, and I’ve only known one child who could be considered as disabled as you’re describing. She had a g tube, very limited mobility and never really seemed “there”. In fact, she only really responded to anything by chewing.
Ideally, and this is what I would do, the child should only be offered medical care to make them more comfortable, not to prolong life.
Symptomatic relief where possible. Comfort care, no lifesaving interventions. Basically, palliative only.
My adopted mom’s cousin had a kid named Timmy who was born with severe spina bifida. He didn’t talk and needed 24/7 care when he was alive.
Some ppl can handle having a child with severe physical/ mental abilities and some ppl can’t. But that’s why we should all have the right to choose and not be forced into it. And adoption/ foster care isn’t easy either. I wish more ppl understood that.
I mean if it was MY child, I would happily go to jail for ending their suffering. I would not allow my child to have no quality of life. If something were to happen to me and I was severely disabled, was suffering and there was no way for me to recover, I’d hope someone would extend me the same kindness. I can’t say what other people should do, only what they could do. I live in Maine and we have the Maine Death with Dignity Act but it only applies to sound minded adults with a terminal illness with a 6 month prognosis and they have to be able to administer the drugs themselves. That wouldn’t work for a disabled child or a disabled person or anyone mentally disabled.
It’s left up to the parents to take care of them or to find someone else who will. Murdering very disabled children is still illegal.
That’s why I’m 100000% for the medical aid in dying. Thankfully that’s something we have in Canada (although I’m not sure for children) but I understand it’s not the case everywhere.
Because there just isn’t any other good options. No one should be forced to live in agony.
Like the other commenter said, I think that making their short life as comfortable as possible and not try to keep them alive at any cost is the best solution if MAiD isn’t an option
Why do people always assume that profoundly disabled people are suffering? Sure they’re never really going to do anything, but that doesn’t mean their lives are filled with agony. In cases where people are brain dead or born with no brain, they don’t even have the capacity to suffer. How is it cruel to keep them alive?
I think palliative care is the only reasonable choice.