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'Hysterectomy will protect my girl,' says Katie's mother
Emily Parsons, Evening Standard08.10.07
A mother who has asked doctors to perform a hysterectomy on her disabled teenage daughter today defended her decision.
Alison Thorpe wants surgeons to remove her daughter Katie's womb to save her the pain and discomfort of menstruation.
Her decision has sparked criticism from disability groups who accused Mrs Thorpe of neglecting her daughter's human rights.
But the 45-year-old mother said she wants to protect Katie in future life as she believes the only way she would become pregnant is as a victim of sexual abuse.
Katie, 15, who lives with her mother in Billericay, Essex, has cerebral palsy, severe learning difficulties, suffers from incontinence and is unable to walk or talk. She requires 24-hour care and understands little of what is said to her.
Doctors at St John's Hospital in Chelmsford have agreed to remove her womb if lawyers give their permission.
It is understood this would be the first time such a procedure would be be carried out in the UK without the patient's consent.
Mrs Thorpe explained: "The only way Katie would have children would be if she was the victim of sexual abuse. She will never be a consenting adult."
Disability group Scope hit out at the decision. Its executive director Andy Rickell said: "It is difficult to see how this kind of invasive surgery, which is not medically necessary and which will be very painful and traumatic, can be in Katie's best interests.
"Scope is concerned that doctors are supporting parents in this case. If this enforced sterilisation is approved it will have disturbing implications for young disabled girls across Britain."
But Phil Robarts, a consultant at St John's Hospital, who backed Ms Thorpe's decision and consulted other professionals, said: "I think the girl's mother makes a very cogent argument for proceeding with that course of action, albeit it is rather drastic."
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I'm behind Ms. Thorpe 100%. I have a handicapped daughter with the same disabilities as Katie. My Amanda will be 23 next year. I've had to watch her for the last 10 years, go through the discomfort each month that she has her period. I'm watching Ms. Thorpe's struggles and wonder if the people that are demanding that Katie's "rights" are protected have ever had to watch their child go through any discomfort and say "hurt" and not be able to help. I'm sure that Ms. Thorpe feels as I do anything I can do to make my daughter live any easier I will do. Please unless you have walked in our shoes leave her alone and let her do what is best for HER child.
- Jeffrey Hepburn, Loxahatchee, USA
