Hundreds outraged over child 'frozen in time' » Health » 24dash.com

Hundreds of people across the UK have today backed a major new campaign to protect the rights of children after US medics took action to "freeze" a disabled child in time.

Scope have started the campaign after a young disabled girl known as Ashley X underwent a series of operations and treatments in America to prevent her from growing.

The parents of the youngster who is severely disabled decided to take the action to ensure they could continue to manage to care for her but the treatment has been met with outrage by people across the globe.

Scope's new campaign declares that such treatment, which has been dubbed the "Ashley treatment", is an abuse of the human rights of the child.

The call to action was being kick-started today with full page adverts in the national press asking the public to put their name to the defence of disabled children's human rights.

Sandy Collington, Scope Trustee and mother of a girl with cerebral palsy, said, "All parents face difficult decisions for their children, whether disabled or non-disabled but the idea that we should prevent our children from developing into adults is appalling."

"This is a very emotional issue and it is very sad that the parents of Ashley X felt they had to resort to these measures."

"However, the rights of the child should not be sacrificed because the right level of support is lacking. Instead parents should be given more help so they are not put in a position like that in the first place."

Scope is calling for the Government to increase funding to ensure that disabled children and their families have the necessary practical support.

Thousands of families are struggling to get financial support for a range of equipment for their children, particularly wheelchairs, hoists and communication aids. Many are also unable to take a break from caring for their children because of the current "postcode lottery" for respite services.

The charity is also asking the Government to introduce safeguards - including legal measures and the use of independent advocates - to ensure disabled children in the UK are not subjected to the "Ashley Treatment".

It wants to see a clear framework put in place for dealing with ethical decisions of this complexity, which takes the rights of disabled children into consideration.

Bob Benson, Scope's executive director for community development, said, "These families suffer financial hardship, stress and anxiety - and that can lead to extreme decisions. But we mustn't change the child to fit society; we need to change society to meet the needs of the child."

"If we are to prevent this abuse of human rights of disabled children in the future, the Government must face up to the pressure families are under and increase the money and support available to them."

The campaign already has the support of other disability organisations such as RADAR and The National Autistic Society, together with well known disabled performer Mat Fraser and leading disability rights campaigner Rachel Hurst from Disability Awareness in Action.

It is part of Scope's ongoing campaign Time to Get Equal, which raises awareness about the problems and barriers faced by disabled people in their everyday lives and challenges disablism.

Copyright Press Association 2007