Teen wins fight to refuse blood transfusions

by blondie 38 Replies latest social current

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  blondie

  http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2002/07/02/mia020702

  CBC News

  Teen wins fight to refuse blood transfusions
  Last Updated Tue, 02 Jul 2002 19:59:17

  CALGARY - A 16-year-old Calgary teen has won the legal right to direct her own medical treatment.

  The young woman, known only as Mia, is suffering from a severe form of leukemia. She's also a devout Jehovah's Witness.

  In February, a judge ordered Mia to become a temporary ward of the government, so it could dictate her medical treatment.

  But, on Tuesday a family court judge overruled that order giving Mia the right to refuse blood transfusions.

  After nearly six months of lawyers talking on her behalf, Mia was able to address the judge in person. She was wheeled into a hospital conference room so she could testify.

  In a voice just barely above a whisper, Mia told the judge about her treatments. She said the many blood transfusions she had to endure made her feel violated.

  Mia said she's relieved that there will be no more - her leukemia has taken a turn for the worse, and she expects to die within days.

  Still, the young woman said it was important for her to address the court. She said she believes her case is all about her right to choose what's best for her body.

  Outside the hospital, Mia's father disagreed. He's been urging the province to continue its control of Mia's treatment, including the blood transfusions.

  He says his position has cost him his family and the support of his church. But, he says his daughter's health should supersede her religious beliefs.

  "She has a 10 per cent chance of surviving. Even if she had a one per cent chance, I'd want her to be treated. As long as there's life, there's hope."

  The church elders who have supported Mia throughout her ordeal, say they're pleased by the decision.

  This way, they say, Mia can die in peace without being tormented by treatments.

  "From the very beginning, we've made it very clear that we don't believe this to be a religious issue. This is a human rights issue. This is about freedom of choice," said Wayne McKee who speaks for Jehovah's Witnesses in the Calgary area.

  This isn't the last chapter in Mia's court case. Her lawyers have asked the Supreme Court of Canada to hear arguments on whether she is mature enough to make her own medical decisions.

  They asked that the application go forward, even though it will likely come much too late for Mia to take part.

  Written by CBC News Online staff
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  Nathan Natas

  "Freedom of choice" - the WTS chooses to let her be one of the last to die for their bonehead doctrine, the father chooses to have her live. The WTS has invested tremendous resources to get this kid to die for them.

  Blood-worshipping idolaters!

  Another sacrifice to Dagon. Fire up the BBQ pit!

  Edited by - Nathan Natas on 2 July 2002 22:7:23
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  BeautifulGarbage

  "From the very beginning, we've made it very clear that we don't believe this to be a religious issue. This is a human rights issue. This is about freedom of choice," said Wayne McKee who speaks for Jehovah's Witnesses in the Calgary area.

  What a load of bull!

  It seems that Mia is losing her battle with Leukemia. I'm truly saddened by that. May her Father have the very small token of comfort that with this court battle he most likely prolonged her life more than it would have been otherwise.

  Andee
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  concerned mama

  This poor family, this poor father, and most of all this poor girl.

  Such a shame that her health is failing. The WT policy has destroyed this family. It has prevented this family from pulling together to help her get well, to allow her the best medical treatment with her whole family behind her, when her family is her most important support.

  Does this judge's ruling set a precident? Do you think that the judge gave in based on her failing health?

  I feel so sad for them all.
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  D wiltshire

  I feel very sorry for the girl and her family. I think the father did the best he could do to try to save his daughters life. While I feel great anger towards the WT for this teaching that kills their loyal followers. I agree with this courts decission.

  A sixteen year old is old enought to make this choice and should be respected even if it is an error.

  I'm for freedom of religious beliefs as long as they don't harm anyone but the person who has them, as I would not want any court to decide what religious beliefs I am allowed to practice(as long as the only person I hurt was myself).

  I feel sorry for this girl for two reasons one because she is misled and two, now faces death with perhaps a guilty conscience, to me that is very sad. I feel with matters of life and death every person should have control over what treatment they will accept or refuse and to go against their wishes is a violation of a sacred right we all have that should be respected no matter what our personal feeling might be.
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  dungbeetle

  It would appear that the father's efforts gave the mother and daughter another six months together that they would not have had otherwise.

  And of course they will hate him for it forever.
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  TheOldHippie

  Agreeing with you, D Wiltshire. While I'm a "no-blood"er myself, for my religious reasons, I think it should be the right of everyone within the congregational framework of the WBTS to make their own decision, and then let God have the "final word" in stead of human go-betweeners.
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  avengers

  Freedom of choice? The Watchtower? Joke.

  If the Watchtower would have butted out of this family the stress that this family had to endure would have been way less.

  The Watchtower is not for freedom of choice, the only choice they respect is their own.

  Though I think she deserves the right to choose, as the judge says,

  the family should have been left alone and made their choice as a family.

  As we all can clearly see again, the Watchtower is going in against their own doctrines.

  They state that the father is head of the family, yet they go to court to prove the opposite.

  I really feel for this family.

  Add another destroyed family to your list Watchtower

  Thank You.
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  TheContagion

  I donno guys. 10% chance. Let the poor girl have her beliefs. I have to agree with the rulling. She shouldn't have to go through the hell we did leaving in the last days of her life or have to be tormented thinking she is being spirtually raped.
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  Pathofthorns

  It is a shame that she had to undergo all of this fighting in addition to trying to fight cancer. At this point with odds of survival so low, I agree with the courts to let her die in peace.

  This "feeling violated" is directly due to WT doctrine and their influence and probably only a few years from now only the old-school Witnesses will feel this way. Few Witnesses these days feel they are "canibals" if they need an organ transplant. Strange how people in WT land will fight to the death in support of WT policy and then feel okay about accepting what was once forbidden when WT leaders decide to change their minds.

  Ivolvement with the WT absolutely destroyed this family and I believe greatly reduced her chances of survival or at least deprived her of a significant measure of peace in her final months. I feel very bad for the parents, as no parent should have to see their child die. If the mother ever comes around and sees the light, what a mixed up day that will be for her.

  I hope the Canadian press will do a documentary on what happened here and expose what the WT is hiding from people.

  Path