Teen with cancer can forgo chemotherapy – Yahoo! News
ACCOMAC, Va. – A 16-year-old cancer patient ‘s legal fight ended in victory Wednesday when his family’s attorneys and social services officials reached an agreement that would allow him to forgo chemotherapy.
At the start of what was scheduled to be a two-day hearing, Accomack County Circuit Judge Glen A. Tyler announced that both sides had reached a consent decree, which Tyler approved.Under the decree, Starchild Abraham Cherrix, who is battling Hodgkin’s disease, will be treated by an oncologist of his choice who is board-certified in radiation therapy and interested in alternative treatments. The family must provide the court updates on Abraham’s treatment and condition every three months until he’s cured or turns 18.
Tyler emphasized that the decree states that the parents weren’t medically neglectful.
While the Cherrix family may see this as a victory, I see it as a loss. While I can understand that Cherrix and his family want to get on with fighting his illness, by coming to an agreement with the state, especially one where the family has to provide the court with updates, they are condoning the state’s interference in a private matter. The state has no place being involved in this family’s business.