I know what I am about to say is not popular, but it's how I feel.

If a child is born with a disability, should the choice be ultimately up to the child to eventually decide for themself their own treatment?

Case in point. Supposedly as the story goes, I was born un-hearing (note I don't say deaf).

I had such fluid buildup in my ears that I was unresponsive until I had surgery to correct it at 6 months old.

From that time until I was 16 years old, like clockwork, every 6 months I had to have more tubes put in my ears due to chronic ear infections.

And as the story supposedly goes, my doctor told my parents that if I didn't have surgery to correct this initially, it would become permanent.

And to be honest, in a way, and I know this is where my MH is a little screwed up, TBH it upset me when I heard about that. Because it is one of those things, that, in hindsight, though I love music so much, I would have opted not to have this condition treated.

I have read before about some people that have had fantasies about being deaf (and I too have had them). But you know, this is one of those things that got thrust upon me against my will. Not to mention the frequent hospital visits and surgeries I had to have throughout childhood, which I think, can be a little traumatising in itself.

This is just one of those things that I would like to have chosen for myself. Because in hindsight, though I would have missed out on a whole world of music (which I love so much), I would have traded it all for silence.

What about people who ARE deaf? Should they, as adults, be carted to a hospital and forced to undergo a treatment that would restore their hearing against their will to make them NORMAL in the eyes of society? Who cares what others think?

Some people choose to embrace who they are, and that includes their disabilities. Why should I have had that decision thrust upon me against my will?

In this case, I would like to have been given the choice myself when I came of age, and not have that decision forced upon me.

It kind of made me angry, and perhaps I'm a little screwed up to feel this way, but I don't care, cause it's HOW I FEEL.

Cause who knows? I may have wanted treatment, or I may have wanted to stay that way. Who cares either way? It should have been my choice to make.

[Caelix3]

Originally Posted by _nullandvoid_

I know what I am about to say is not popular, but it's how I feel.

If a child is born with a disability, should the choice be ultimately up to the child to eventually decide for themself their own treatment?

Case in point. Supposedly as the story goes, I was born un-hearing (note I don't say deaf).

I had such fluid buildup in my ears that I was unresponsive until I had surgery to correct it at 6 months old.

From that time until I was 16 years old, like clockwork, every 6 months I had to have more tubes put in my ears due to chronic ear infections.

And as the story supposedly goes, my doctor told my parents that if I didn't have surgery to correct this initially, it would become permanent.

And to be honest, in a way, and I know this is where my MH is a little screwed up, TBH it upset me when I heard about that. Because it is one of those things, that, in hindsight, though I love music so much, I would have opted not to have this condition treated.

I have read before about some people that have had fantasies about being deaf (and I too have had them). But you know, this is one of those things that got thrust upon me against my will. Not to mention the frequent hospital visits and surgeries I had to have throughout childhood, which I think, can be a little traumatising in itself.

This is just one of those things that I would like to have chosen for myself. Because in hindsight, though I would have missed out on a whole world of music (which I love so much), I would have traded it all for silence.

What about people who ARE deaf? Should they, as adults, be carted to a hospital and forced to undergo a treatment that would restore their hearing against their will to make them NORMAL in the eyes of society? Who cares what others think?

Some people choose to embrace who they are, and that includes their disabilities. Why should I have had that decision thrust upon me against my will?

In this case, I would like to have been given the choice myself when I came of age, and not have that decision forced upon me.

It kind of made me angry, and perhaps I'm a little screwed up to feel this way, but I don't care, cause it's HOW I FEEL.

Cause who knows? I may have wanted treatment, or I may have wanted to stay that way. Who cares either way? It should have been my choice to make.

In terms of developmental disorders.

I think the child should be made to go to appointments and therapy. Because it will ultimately help them function in society.

My little brother has autism and down syndrome. Without appointments, He would be sicker then he already is all the time (physically). Taking no medication isn't an option for him.

Without therapy, he wouldn't of learned how to walk,pull down his pants to use the restroom,request for stuff using the communicator,point to what he wants,etc.

He is considered very low functioning. I know some people don't like the use of that word. But it is what the doctors and therapists use.

He is non verbal and in his mind he is younger. He is 13 right now. But in his mind he is probably a few years younger.


I have autism and if it weren't for that diagnosis, I wouldn't get the acommadations I do. Even though I got diagnosed super late at 18.

I would of loved if I got diagnosed at a young age. Because maybe my social skills would be better and I'd understand certain things more. But alas I was not.

I feel like it should be up to the parent. Until the child turns 16. But if the child is so severely delayed that they can't make decisions on their own, they should be made to go to therapy / appointments.

Absolutely when a person or child is not capable of making their own decisions, do I think that decisions should be made for them.

I'm just talking about other instances, such as mine.

When I was a kid, by age 13, if you're not a danger to yourself or others, you have the right to refuse medical and mental health treatment (and I think that is a good law).

For instance my mother tried to get me committed at 14 cause I ran away from home (to get away from her and her abuse) in an attempt to cover up what she was doing at home. And I refused "treatment" (which was a good choice).

That's all I was trying to say. That I think there are instances when it's best left to the individual to decide for themself, not over-controlling helicopter parents that end up doing more harm to their children than good.

[Loose Screw x 2]

Possible trigger:

What bothered me most about doctor visits was being mole-I mean examined. I HATED it and still find the memories disturbing. Even worse was when my over-protective mother was there most of the times, watching. Talk about creepy.

As far as parents having a right to submit a child to a needed or what is perceived as needed surgery by the norms of society until they reach an age where they can legally choose on their own, I would have to go with "Yes". One of my brother's had eye problems as a toddler and as young as 2 had to have glasses that he refused to wear so a strap was added to 'make' him wear them. I'm told that it was very sad to see his reaction to that but, he eventually came to accept it and wears glasses to this day with no problems.

EDIT: Added trigger warning. Sorry for forgetting.