The parents of a 3-year-old New Jersey girl say she's being denied a kidney transplantation because of her mental disabilities, but experts caution that the issue could be more complex.
Chrissy Rivera posted a blog entry last week saying a doctor at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia told her and her husband that their daughter wouldn't be eligible for a transplant because of her mental condition. Their child, Amelia, was born with the rare genetic defect Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome.
Another mother of two severely autistic boys saw the blog posting and began an online petition, signed by more than 23,700 people.
Children's Hospital said in a statement that it "does not disqualify potential transplant candidates on the basis of intellectual abilities."
"We have transplanted many children with a wide range of disabilities, including physical and intellectual disabilities," it said, adding that it is "deeply committed" to providing the best possible medical care for all children, including those with disabilities.
The hospital did not comment further, citing patient confidentiality laws, but noted the debate on its Facebook page.
Conjoined Twins Separated
"We're listening. We hear your concerns and take seriously your posts, emails and phone calls," it wrote, adding, "Please know that you have been heard and that your feedback is appreciated."
Stilwell has been in contact with Rivera daily over the events.
"There's a lot of camaraderie" between parents of special-needs kids, Stilwell said. "Almost all of us, across the board, have experienced some discrimination. I've certainly had some bad run-ins with some certainly ignorant doctors, but nothing like this. That's part of the reason I did it. I couldn't actually believe this was happening."
Messages seeking comment from the Riveras through Facebook and to their home were left Wednesday.
The issue the Riveras face is not simple, said Arthur Caplan, director of the University of Pennsylvania Center for Bioethics.
For example, the blog notes that Rivera told the hospital that "we plan on donating" the kidney, since they come from a large family.
Chrissy Rivera posted a blog entry last week saying a doctor at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia told her and her husband that their daughter wouldn't be eligible for a transplant because of her mental condition. Their child, Amelia, was born with the rare genetic defect Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome.
Another mother of two severely autistic boys saw the blog posting and began an online petition, signed by more than 23,700 people.
Children's Hospital said in a statement that it "does not disqualify potential transplant candidates on the basis of intellectual abilities."
"We have transplanted many children with a wide range of disabilities, including physical and intellectual disabilities," it said, adding that it is "deeply committed" to providing the best possible medical care for all children, including those with disabilities.
The hospital did not comment further, citing patient confidentiality laws, but noted the debate on its Facebook page.
Conjoined Twins Separated
"We're listening. We hear your concerns and take seriously your posts, emails and phone calls," it wrote, adding, "Please know that you have been heard and that your feedback is appreciated."
Stilwell has been in contact with Rivera daily over the events.
"There's a lot of camaraderie" between parents of special-needs kids, Stilwell said. "Almost all of us, across the board, have experienced some discrimination. I've certainly had some bad run-ins with some certainly ignorant doctors, but nothing like this. That's part of the reason I did it. I couldn't actually believe this was happening."
Messages seeking comment from the Riveras through Facebook and to their home were left Wednesday.
The issue the Riveras face is not simple, said Arthur Caplan, director of the University of Pennsylvania Center for Bioethics.
For example, the blog notes that Rivera told the hospital that "we plan on donating" the kidney, since they come from a large family.
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