A 13-year-old Minnesota boy living with cancer is being forced by the courts to take chemotherapy.
A judge ruled that Daniel Hauser, is in need of child protection services because his parents have refused the chemotherapy that doctors say could save the boy's life. What do you think?
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If you've been following this story in the news, you will see it is lacking something, quotes from Daniel Hauser himself! It makes it very clear what his parents want, but it never says what he wants. He is part of a religion, rather like a colt, his parents say he's a medicine man and an elder, but he's only 13. Without knowing the full story no one can make an objective decision on someone else's life!
I don't think that people should be forced to do something they don't really have to. Is chemo the better option? Probably. However, it is also very painful. If they feel that natural remedies and their belief is better, then they should be allowed to do that. Also, I haven't been following this too closely, but in some situations, it comes down to money. We don't have socialized healthcare, and treatments like that are expensive. If it's a lower-class family, money could be an issue.
Money is not the issue, his parents believe that they can heal him through more natural remedies. Getting the chemo drug in it self is not "painful" butt it can have some terrible side effects!!
Ma3 13, I am intrigued by your opinion. Can I ask what is the source of your information?
IF money is the issue, then the parents could apply to Medicaid for their son. On the other hand, if the parent's are simply denying their son of medical treatment because of faith...then I agree, the child should have a say..after all, it is HIS life!!!!!!
well...the parentrs should let the boy take the chemo...if I had a kid I would want him to live and not die!
It is extremely important to note that Daniel has Hodgkins Lymphoma which, with chemo, is HIGHLY treatable. Daniel's doctors say that with chemo he will have a 90-95% success rate. He was diagnosed in January and had 1 round of chemo in Feb. It has also been reported (by several reputable news sources) that Daniel is homeschooled and cannot read or write.
While parents do have the right to decide what is best for their children, it'a also important to remember that 13 is a highly impressionable age and that there is a very good chance that Daniel may not be getting ALL of the information from BOTH sides of the issue.
F.Y.I.: Daniel's family is Catholic, however they practice a nearby Native American tribe's view on alternative medicine. The tribe's leader claimed that he beat cancer soley on herbal and alternative remedies. It has also been reported that a relative of the family had cancer and died. The family believes that he died not from the cancer, but from the chemo.
cyyannwilliams, I know that money is not the issue because his parents belong to a religion that prohibits this kind of treatment, if money had been the issue they would have said, and they would not be bucking this so much, but I'm sure you already knew that.
As far as how painful it is, my mother just underwent chemotherapy, and there's no pain in the administering of the drug, but my mother, like most chemo patients, experienced side effects that can be painful and uncomfortable, does that answer your question cyyannwilliams?
I really think that it is up to the young man as well, how does he feel about chemo? They need to ask him as well. It really should be in the interest of the child!
This is precisely why I voted "I'm not sure".
The phrasing of the question leaves a lot to be desired. Are the parents fighting because HE doesn't want to have chemo? Or are they fighting because THEY don't want him to have chemo?
Has anyone asked the boy what he wants to do? I realize that he is not of age to make the decision himself and that his parents are his legal guardians but shouldn't he have the choice or at least a little input since this is his life. If this was an adult it would be his decision to make not his parents. I am 14 years old i know that if i had this situation happen to me last year i would have wanted to have some say in the matter. He may only be 13 but it is his life and he has the right to choose with out worring if his parents would be upset. Has he gotten all the information on both sides? I know that when my parents try to persuade me they can leave out some information that would make me want to do what they don't want me to do, so is this boy getting both sides information?
Actually, He has said a little. In the article my teacher gave us, he told the judge. "I'd fight it [chemotherapy]. I'd hit them and kick them. [the administers of the chemotherapy]"
When I see my teacher on Tuesday, I'll get a link to this article so you can see for yourself.
Also, Daniel has undergone one session already, so the parents can't be completely restrictive.
I AGREE. I THINK THAT THEY SHOULD ASK THE BOY WHAT HE WANTS TO DO. I MEAN HE IS 13 YEARS OLD AND IS ABLE TO MAKE HIS OWN DECISIONS. ITS HIS LIFE AND HE SHOULD DO WHAT HE THINKS IS BEST FOR HIM.
YEAH I AGREE WITH WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY BUT IT SHOULD UP TO HIM WHETHER OR NOT HE WANTS TO TAKE IT. I MEAN IT'S HIS LIFE NOBODY ELSES!
He has said he does not want the chemo but he is only 13, and his parents could be forcing him to say that. I think he will be glad after he gets it. If he does not have health insurance then our "laws" that people must be helped don't apply, since we don't have universal health care.
i think the court wouldnt be forcing something like that on them if they didnt think it would save the boys life...if they truly loved him they would push there pride to the side and do any and everything to extend there boys life, he shouldnt have to suffer.
I think that the people have a right to do what they want. They can speak for themselves. As long as the boy knows whats going on, he and his parents have the right to do what they want. The courts, I do not trust. They care about one thing at a time. Other then that they close their eyes to everything else. The boy shouldnt have to suffer but its his life to chose how to live it.
to me it isnt up to the parents or the judge it is up to the boy because he is old enogh to mak choices and i read up in the others that he is in a cetian religion were he is an lder so he should have the choice weather he gets chemo or not.
This boy's parents are ridiculous. No matter their beliefs, they have a duty to protect the child's life and take care of him no matter what measures must be taken. And PS, the decision should not be made by the boy. He is too young to fully comprehend what could happen to him if he refused the chemo. The parents just make me sick. Their son's life should be more important to them than thier beliefs. I would just love to punch the two of them in the face. Jeez.
HEEELLO PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dont you see that apparently natural remedies have not worked for this boy?if they were working for him that would be great,but that is not the case.
First of all he doesn't even understand nore does he believe that he is sick!!
I believe that he has been made to believe this due to the parents. It is insane to not realize that this boy needs help.How could a mother not offer this to her child knowing that he is not getting better through natural remedies that he will die without any help?
victoriafelton83@hotmail.com
Are you serious?This boy does not even believe that he is sick!!he has been raised to believe that natural remedies will heal him if so.maybe in some cases, but if this boy does not get any help he will die!!!
if the boys parents believe they can cure the boy through other remedies, its not for the government to say there wrong and force the child to take chemotherapy...doctors are there to inform us on ways to keep us healthy, its not there job to force us to do something that will save their life if the patient believes he has another way.......its rediculous, the government is taking over everybody's life and NO ONE will have a say in their life anymore...we're leaning more towards communism year by year.......
I think the child should have a say in the matter, just because his parents dont want him to get chemo doesnt mean he doesnt. If he doesnt want the chemo then he shouldnt have to be forced but the chemo could save his life.
i think that this whole thing is messed up. first of all the kid needs to be fully informed on both sides of the argument and then they need to take and record his opinion. third the parents need to stop worrying about thier religions and do what is best for the child. and fourth the government needs to start acting like a democracy and start living by our constitution and everything our mation was founded on and stop trying to control everybodies lives!! we founded this nation so we would be ruled by the people and for the people. latley weve been ruled by multiple kings each trying to gain complete and individual power. we are becoming what we fought not to be!!!! oops sorry i get off topic easily... any way this decision should be in the interest of the boy not any bodys personal thoughts or feelings!
I think they should ask him what he wants. Chemo is really painful and it makes u really sick. If he is dying then his parents should reconcider. Also there is no surefire way tell that the chemo will cure it, plus if it doesnt work then he should spend the rest of his time being happy