Mencap Continued

My name is Ali and last year I won a prize in Snap! – Mencap’s photo competition for people with a learning disability.

I have been taking photos with my dad for years. We love going out and having camera fights – to see who can get the best picture of each other. This is great fun and stops us getting bored.

If you know anyone who you think might want to enter Snap! go to www.mencap.org.uk/snap to find out more. The closing date has been extended until the 12 March!

Best wishes,
Ali Pearce

An Xtreme treatment

Ashley X, a nine-year-old American girl with profound and multiple learning disabilities has had her growth stopped. The case has divided opinion, although Mencap strongly disagrees with the actions of Ashley’s parents.

Her parents say they have kept their daughter child-sized to give her a better quality of life. In an online blog, they insist that the decision was made to improve her quality of life – not to make caring for her more convenient.

They have called the intervention ‘Ashley Treatment’. This consists of a 2 and a half year course of oestrogen, a hysterectomy and the removal of her breast buds.

Her parents say that Ashley’s mental age will never develop beyond three months, and that the treatment means she can remain involved in family life.

Mencap strongly disagrees with their actions, believing that the rights of the child should always come first. Leroy Binns, a peer advocate for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities said: “I don’t think what Ashley’s parents are doing is fair on her – it is taking away her human rights. It’s not fair on her to stay the same forever and not go through the changes that others do.”

However, others have shown support for Ashley’s parents stating that the treatment is in her best interests and can be morally justified.

For more information
Tell us what you think about the Ashley X case by emailing us at newsletter@mencap.org.uk