Comments on: Parental Rights or Government Rights?

By: kare

kare — Wed, 20 May 2009 21:48:38 +0000

There are many alternative therapies that have been shown to be helpful for preventing and fighting cancer. The problem is that the only people being asked are medical doctors. Do the research…. nutritional therapy, sauanas or steam baths, and holistic therapies are have their place. Watch the TV Channel Veria and you will learn a lot of this!

By: Parental Rights

Parental Rights — Mon, 18 May 2009 16:08:52 +0000

As a pediatrician and advocate for parental rights to direct the care and upbringing of one’s children, I believe ardently in the parental rights that are protected and only overturned with a compelling interests by due process. The state seems to have a solid case that the boy’s medical condition will worsen without therapy and by going through the judicial process, they have followed due process. Therefore, while concerned, it seems that all is being done appropriatly. However, I am unclear on the educational issue as the public school system often does not help the children like him either.
The greatest danger for our society here is to assume a need to “legislate” across all parents. If we suddenly begin to give the state final say in all such situations, soon the state will make more and more decisions regarding parenting situation. We probably will not like all of their decisions.
Sincerely,
Doc

By: Ms.Pickles aka Stone

Ms.Pickles aka Stone — Sun, 17 May 2009 14:57:33 +0000

I think that its sad I understand that ppl’s beliefs are deep rooted in them but there is a point of knowing that your child needs medical attention. He is delayed developmental and that is understandable….Early Intervention is a great tool but the child cant be older then 5

By: m2c

m2c — Sun, 17 May 2009 14:13:59 +0000

Okay. I found more informative articles and learned that Daniel does have developmental delays of some sort and has been home-schooled with about as much success it seems as the “alternative” medicines his parents insist on.
Ignorance and stubborness are very difficult to overcome especially when disguised as religion. The boy has been influenced by his parents since birth so of course he’s not going to believe strangers.
But the parents should be capable of looking at statistical results of treatments and realize it can work. Unfortunately they are led by power-hungry frauds who “swear” they’ve been cured of similar illnesses by “alternative” medicines. No proof of course to back that up - in fact the guy in question went to jail for fraud.
If a group of people followed a religion that required human sacrifice of a child (or anyone) would we/should we allow that? If a group sent a child into bear or lion-infested woods while they danced around a fire and mixed up special herbs to protect him and believed it was okay because IF God wills he’ll come out alive and IF He doesn’t well that’s okay too? Nope.
So, IMO, it is NOT okay for these parents to let their child die - by doing everything they can to prevent him from living. Disgusting and I don’t care if it’s a “religion.” Which normally I would have some respect for - but not in this case.

By: m2c

m2c — Sun, 17 May 2009 13:40:32 +0000

There are two issues here. One is Daniel’s health. The other is his education or lack of it which is not explained in this or other articles I can find. He was diagnosed with cancer at the beginning of this year but the education issues have gone on much longer than that I think.
Have the parents not allowed him to attend school before this?
Does Daniel have developmental delays? If so, how have they been handled up to now?

By: Ms.Pickles aka Stone

Ms.Pickles aka Stone — Sun, 17 May 2009 05:36:55 +0000

Wait they don’t let him attend school? Is that part of there Native beliefs? How come the boy can’t read? I know the health care is an issue and it is he needs treatment. Why can’t he read. That bothers me beliefs or not he needs to be able to be healthy and be able to comprehend what he see’s in life. Thats sad…my kids are part Navajo and if they was sick theyd be at the hospital getting treatment. That saddens my heart for that boy. Im going to pray for him! That he gets his medical attention and learns to read.