In a 2006 study, Ohio State University found that “the one-year survival rate for people with mental retardation who received kidney transplants was 100 percent, and the three-year survivor rate was 90 percent.” These seem to be good statistics, but it would appear that the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) either hasn’t seen this study or has a drastically different opinion on the matter.
Amelia Rivera was born with a condition called Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome. This diagnosis meant that Amelia was missing part of a chromosome and could suffer various birth defects. One of those “defects” was developmental retardation and the eventual need of a kidney transplant. The lifespan for people with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, because it varies so much, is unknown.
On Thursday, Chrissy Rivera, Amelia’s mother, took to the Internet to vent, posting this account of her devastating experience . She claims her daughter, Amelia, had been denied the required kidney transplant because she is “mentally retarded”. According to Chrissy, the doctors said that “Amelia’s quality of life renders her ineligible” for the transplant and the they won’t change their minds.
Since posting her blog, Rivera has received hundreds of comments. People have turned to CHOP’s Facebook page to express their opinions on the matter. Last night, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia posted a response to the comments, where they state that “Each child is unique, and our goal is always to provide the best possible medical care for each individual patient.”
But if that’s the case, then shouldn’t they provide the kidney transplant Amelia Rivera needs?
Source: Be Well Philly [Philly Mag]
Photos courtesy of UPenn.edu
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