(CNN) -- The parents of a severely mentally disabled girl have used surgery and hormones to keep their daughter a smaller, lighter -- and therefore easier to manage -- size. They say that it will allow them to continue to give her the care she needs and make life easier for their daughter.
Others question the ethics of such a move and whether it will benefit the 9-year-old girl, who was identified only as Ashley.
CNN.com readers responded to the question about who should have the final say on allowing disabled people to have controversial surgeries. Here is a selection of the readers' answers, some of which have been edited for length and clarity:
Christina of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
People are so quick to pass judgments on the parents of little Ashley, but nobody is stopping to think how a little girl with the mentality of an infant would treat bodily processes such as puberty and menstruation -- a process that scares even the most normal of our children. Not only will these low-risk procedures promote longevity in the girl, but will help to make the rest of her life more comfortable and leave her in a body more appropriate for her mentality. ... We want our children to be happy, and in the face of such a heartbreaking disability, why wouldn't we do everything in our power to obtain that happiness?
Carol Shaw of Cleveland Heights, Ohio
No one objects to surgery to remove a cancer or hormone treatments to treat a variety of ailments. No one objects to pain medication for palliative care. Why would anyone object to surgery or hormones to improve the quality of life and care for a severely mentally disabled child? The parents of this child -- and she will remain a child as long as she lives -- are the only people who love and care for and are responsible for every minute of her life. They are the only people qualified to decide what is best for her, and if keeping her smaller and lighter makes it easier to do their job, then what is wrong with that? I would challenge anyone who criticizes them to spend a day, a month or a year providing daily -- no, hourly -- love and nourishment and care for such a human being.
Jerrie K. Smith of Ponca City, Oklahoma
I have a severely mentally disabled son. I know what is best for him -- not some strangers. The parents should have the say as to what happens with the child. It is the doctors whom you should be appalled at, not the parents. They were given the wrong information. I myself would never have done anything like this. But then I have some medical knowledge and would never have looked for this type of medical treatment. The doctors should have advised these parents not to go this route. You should be after the medical society for this action and not the parents. They acted in good faith from poor medical advice.
Gregg Hutchison of Kewaskum, Wisconsin
[It's] a bizarre story to say the least. While I believe the parents should have the rights to the final decision, I also think we have crossed the line in some medical areas. The big question would be is this surgery beneficial to the patient?
Tracy Linza of Buena Vista, Colorado
Do you honestly think the parents of this little girl woke up one day and said, "Hey, if we have certain procedures done, it will make our lives so much easier?" It's more likely they have been advised by her doctor since being diagnosed with her condition(s) that they will have to consider some very difficult decisions in the years to come. Keep in mind I said, "Advised by her doctor." These decisions should be made by the parents and only the parents with advice from her primary doctor and a second opinion, and everyone else should keep their big fat noses out of it. If the procedures mean that the parents will be able to care for her themselves for a longer period of time, without having to place her in a nursing facility, then that alone is justifiable. I'm sure there are good facilities out there, but nothing can compare to the care and love she'll receive from her family.
Dana of Dallas, Texas
While I do certainly sympathize with the parents, it does seem to be unethical to stunt their child's growth in this way. Their child is not a bonsai tree.
Cheryle Free of Calgary, Alberta
When I first heard this story ... I thought, "My God, what are we doing?" Thankfully, that was quickly followed with a spirit of reason and compassion. ... I think with regard first and foremost for the rights of the child and her family I would have made the same decision -- specifically addressing the quality of life of the child involved, and her parents who have cared for her these many years and plan to continue, as is my understanding, for the duration of their lives. Who among us would take over this job for them?
Dierdra Hunter of Clarksburg, West Virginia
I think that unless people have been in that same place as these young girls' parents they should not judge what the parents decide to do. I can totally understand why they would want her to have the surgery. In the end, I think it should be the parents' decision.
Linda of Torrance, California
The final say should rest with the parents or other legal guardian who is the caregiver. ... If a decision runs contrary to the law of the land, it must be settled in court. Ultimately, the parents or legal guardian will answer to God for their decision on how they carried out their responsibility as caregiver -- not me, not any judge, lawyer or jury. ... That said -- I disagree with the action these parents took. It was a selfish, ungodly action to give ease to the caregivers, which they have admitted in so many words. None of us have the right to destroy or partially destroy/rearrange the body of another, especially if that person is disabled to some degree. You can argue about it forever and a day, but God our Creator never gave us permission to carve each other up. Instead, he gave us a second chance to tap into his unconditional, patience and long-suffering love that we may treat each other with respect throughout any and all situations that come up.
Dorothy Mather of Eagle, Michigan
Ashley will not be made unhappy or hurt by missing a physical change that she does not need or understand. She stands to gain a more peaceful existence by being smaller. Being a more manageable size will allow her to remain with the family that loves and cares for her. Despite her mental age her length of time with her family is the advantage to her. Becoming oversized for home care would only ensure that she would need to be institutionalized sooner as her parents age and lose ability to care for her. This course of action actually only points to her parents' plan to keep her with them for as long as possible. I applaud their kind, heroic and imaginative approach to caring for their daughter, and for honoring her individuality with their care.
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