Posted on 08/16/2006 8:08:37 AM PDT by presidio9
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.
Abraham saw the doctor last week, and defense attorneys told the judge that the doctor has indicated that he thinks that Abraham can be cured.
After the short hearing, the judge looked at Abraham and said, "God bless you, Mr. Cherrix."
Last summer, the teen was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease, a cancer of the lymphatic system considered very treatable in its early stages. He was so debilitated by three months of chemotherapy that he declined a second, more intensive round that doctors recommended early this year.
He since has been using an alternative herbal treatment called the Hoxsey method, the sale of which was banned in the United States in 1960.
After Abraham chose to go on the sugar-free, organic diet and take liquid herbal supplements under the supervision of a Mexican clinic, a social worker asked a juvenile court judge to intervene to protect the teen's health. Last month, the judge found Abraham's parents neglectful and ordered Abraham to report to a hospital for treatment as doctors deem necessary.
Lawyers for the family appealed, and an Accomack County Circuit Court judge suspended that order and scheduled a new trial to settle the dispute. The judge scheduled the trial for two days but has indicated he would like to finish in one, said John Stepanovich, a lawyer for the parents.
Abraham is still on the Hoxsey method, but Stepanovich stressed that the family hasn't ruled out other possible treatments, such as immunotherapy or radiation treatment in small doses.
According to the American Cancer Society, there is no scientific evidence that Hoxsey is effective in treating cancer in people. The herbal treatment is illegal in the United States but can be obtained through clinics in Mexico, and some U.S. naturopathic practitioners use adapted versions of the formula.
Starchild...interesting
Good. He shouldn't have been forced to go through chemo a second time. I hope they find something that will cure him.
How generous of the state to allow him a conditional go at his favored medical treatment.
It's the parents' choice what treatment to use since Abraham is under 18. Period. The county needs to butt out.
Interestingly enough, I didn't know the kid had the weird first name, but I heard him interviewed on Hannity and he's a very well-spoken young man. He and his parents researched the alternatives and mutually agreed on this particular type of treatment, and so far, it seems to be working--or at least he's not getting any worse.
Gabz, this is in your neck of the woods, isn't it?
}:-)4
He'll be dead in a year.
I agree the choice is his and his parents, no one else's. I'm sure if the treatment he is on now is showing no improvement they will make the wise decision to do radiation or chemo again should need be to save his life. For now leave the boy alone and let them seek help however they so choose.
Great news! I pray for Starchild's complete recovery.
How does one illegally refuse chemo as opposed to what this kid is doing?
What you put into your body is one of the most important factors in health, but for the most part Western Medicine does not believe in diet. I guess they don't believe patients can actually stick to a strict diet and instead rely on presribing pills and treatments for everything.
That's a bit extreme. He has already under one round of chemotherapy, and is to be treated by an oncologist who is board-certified in radiation therapy, and has indicated he may undergo radiation therapy and/or immunotherapy. Yes, he might be dead within a year, but it's far from certain, and more chemotherapy wouldn't be a guarantee either, especially since he had an especially bad reaction to it the first time. Quality of life matters, and it's not clear that he won't get more of that by going his chosen route, even though he'd very likely get more quantity of life with the chemotherapy.
Yes, Moose, this is my neck of the woods.
Accomack County Social Services is devil incarnate as far as I'm concerned. They are also hypocrites. I'm aware of a case a few years ago where AC social workers offered to help a 15 year old get an abortion, without her parents knowing about it.
As to the young man's first name, it is possible it is a family name. On one of the other threads about this case it was brought up that Starchild is a common last name in some parts of Virginia, and giving a child a family name is not an uncommon practice.
I'm glad to see some common sense in the outcome of this for him and his family.
If a 16 year old wanted an abortion, the left would citing the right to privacy and that 'nobody can tell you what to do with your own body.'
It seems abortion gets favored treatment when it comes to privacy.
Might be a family name.
I posted on a thread a few weeks ago that there are three families with surname 'Starchild' listed as living in VA in an online phone directory.
The suffix '-child' or '-schild' on surnames is usually derived from Germanic words for 'shield.'
So it's not necessarily some hippy dippy name.
And even if it were, that's no reason to deny him --an obviously intelligent young man who's almost 18 years old-- his right to choose his own medical treatment.
Please see my comments in post #15 - they address your concern.
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