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Teen In Medical Dispute Sent To Foster Care
A year ago, Justina Pelletier was still ice skating as she underwent treatment for mitochondrial disease — a rare and controversial disorder where the body’s cells can’t produce energy, triggering chronic fatigue and severe digestive problems.
Gordon Russell’s wife died from it. “This girl is in trouble,” he says. “And we are all standing around watching her deteriorate.”
Trouble began when the Pelletiers brought Justina into the Children’s Hospital ER last February where they say doctors quickly cast aside her diagnosis, instead concluding her problems were of psychiatric origin.
When the Pelletiers objected, Children’s brought in DCF and the state took custody of Justina, essentially ruling her parents were committing child abuse by pursuing medical rather than mental health treatment.
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2014/02/24/teen-in-medical-dispute-sent-to-foster-care/
Gordon Russell’s wife died from it. “This girl is in trouble,” he says. “And we are all standing around watching her deteriorate.”
Trouble began when the Pelletiers brought Justina into the Children’s Hospital ER last February where they say doctors quickly cast aside her diagnosis, instead concluding her problems were of psychiatric origin.
When the Pelletiers objected, Children’s brought in DCF and the state took custody of Justina, essentially ruling her parents were committing child abuse by pursuing medical rather than mental health treatment.
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2014/02/24/teen-in-medical-dispute-sent-to-foster-care/
I'm wondering why the doctors are so resistant to even attempting treatment for mitochondrial disease. If she responded positively to that treatment (or not) wouldn't that settle the debate?