The public outcry over the treatment of the beautiful little girl deemed unworthy of kidney transplant based on her mental development is staggering. Nearly 17,000 people have signed a petition demanding that Children's Hospital of Philadelphia reconsider their decision to deny young Amelia a kidney.
I just read a report on CBSPhilly.com that included a statement from the hospital. 'CHOP has issued a statement saying it cannot comment on individual cases due to medical privacy laws, but reaffirms that it does not discriminate “in any way.”' and further reports indicate that the hospital has contacted Amelia's family to arrange a meeting to discuss her daughter’s case further.
It just goes to show you what THOUSANDS of angry parents and friends can accomplish when they speak out for what is right. Allowing Mia to have this procedure is the ONLY right answer.
Denying a patient a medical procedure based on mental development or difficulties is in direct violation with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. In Article 25 it states that parties are to “recognize that persons with disabilities have the right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health without discrimination on the basis of disability.”
Further, Article 10 is about the right to life and reaffirms that “every human being has the inherent right to life and shall take all necessary measures to ensure its effective enjoyment by persons with disabilities on an equal basis with others.”
I will be interested to see if CHOP actually stands by their original decision or if Amelia is given the life saving transplant that would never be denied a typical child. It still disturbs and disgusts me that in 2012 we are still so in the dark ages when it comes to people with cognitive delays and disabilities. There are so many stereotypes to overcome- so much ignorance to combat and stories like this one show just how many people are willing to stand up and demand better- to demand a change.
The fact that strangers all over the world are fighting not only for this ONE child but for ALL children that may one day be denied gives me hope that we are moving in the right direction.
If you haven't signed the petition for Amelia yet you can do so here: http://www.change.org/petitions/executive-vice-president-and-chief-development-officer-allow-the-kidney-transplant-amelia-rivera-needs-to-survive
As always, I welcome all comments either to the blog or to my email address meghan_wilkinson10808@yahoo.com
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