What would you do?

@dawnald (85129)
Shingle Springs, California
May 29, 2009 10:46am CST
Say you have a condition such as autism, Asperger's, etc. where your brain is not wired quite "normally" and a "cure" was discovered that would rewire your brain. But if you allowed the procedure to be performed you almost certainly wouldn't be the same person any more, would you do it? What if the condition were fatal, there were a cure, but you wouldn't be the same person any more? What if the person with the condition were your child? Based on a short story I read, "Echea" by Kristine Kathryn Rusch and also a novel "The Speed of Dark" by Elizabeth Moon.
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13 responses
• United States
1 Jun 09
Dawn- I can't help but wonder if this is in response to the thread I started about the article on the gene discovery for ASD. I really don't think any sort of new knowledge regarding how ASD works, where the gene is, etc will change you the person who has ASD no matter what they do. As I mentioned in my response to you on the thread on the gene discovery, it is a great discovery if we can help those with ASD lead more productive lives. You live a very productive life, and normal. You're no different after your diagnosis then you were before it. So, most people probably wouldn't be different. Though, perhaps giving those who are non verbal with ASD is better then giving them nothing at all. To have a chance to voice what they are thinking, what they feel is a good progression. I do think though we are years from seeing that, perhaps not even in my own life time, though as a special education teacher I'm always hopeful that we can help our students communicate with those around them. Even when I've helped a student, I don't feel they have changed as a person. Even if they read better, etc it doesn't mean their personality or spirit has changed. Namaste-Anora
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@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
1 Jun 09
I don't remember if I saw your discussion before or after I posted this, but no, this is mainly in response to a couple of things that I read. Even though it was a "happy" ending, insofar as it "cured" the problem, the personality of the person was fundamentally changed and I found that to be extremely sad.
• United States
1 Jun 09
Dawn- Could you pass on those articles so I might read them? It is hard to have a good perspective without the material to read and get an understanding of what exactly the context was. Thanks. Namaste-Anora
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@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
1 Jun 09
They were fiction, actually: "Echea" a short story by Kristine Kathryn Rusch "The Speed of Dark" a novel by Elizabeth Moon There was also an article, "Don't Cure Autism Now". Here is a link: http://livsjourney.blogspot.com/2008/10/dont-cure-autism-now.html
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@Foxxee (3651)
• United States
2 Jun 09
Who are we to say whats normal or not? My son is Autistic & I wouldn't take the cure if it would change the person he is. It would be like losing my son. I love the way my son is & I can't imagine him being any different. Yes at times I wonder what it be like, but then I realize my life would be so dull without my wild little man being the person he is today. I am curious to know what others will say... even more so what parents of Autistic children will say...
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@Foxxee (3651)
• United States
3 Jun 09
My son is non-verbal & that is why he goes to therapy for speech. He also has sensory problems & he goes to therapy for that as well. But I still wouldn't want to risk everything just so he can be what people call "normal". Parents need to focus on the now, not some cure... because Autism isn't curable.
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@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
3 Jun 09
It isn't curable now. But I wonder what will happen if they ever do discover something.
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
2 Jun 09
I wouldn't change my son either, but he's high functional and doesn't have too many issues. If he were non-verbal and had a lot of severe problems, I might reconsider.
@maximax8 (31055)
• United Kingdom
30 May 09
That is a very thought provoking question. I am a primary school teacher and I have taught a boy with autism. If he could change for the better than would be incredibly positive. If he got rid of his autism he might be a happier child. He was upset by change like things happening at times they shouldn't be like practicing a play instead of doing history. Loud noises really distressed him like a band playing and even worse a fire alarm. Asperger's isn't as severe as autism and many people that have that get on well in life. They have their special topic and some of are like professors. I have taught a boy with Asperer's and I don't think he would be as lovely if he was changed. My toddler son has spina bifida and it is just part of his identity. I can manage and he seems happy.
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@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
30 May 09
I do think it depends on the severity of the condition and how well the individual is coping with it (for a non-fatal condition). I'm sure it would be a tough decision if we ever had that choice...
@TLChimes (4822)
• United States
29 May 09
A great story about this question is Flowers for algernon http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flowers_for_Algernon I wouldn't have it done on either of my kids... they might choose to as adults but I like them as they are. Of course the thought is if the lost a limb would younot replace it because you like them as is? But no... they do just fine as they are.
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@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
29 May 09
I've read Flowers for Algernon, both the story and the novelization. Slightly different in my opinion. His intelligence was increased, but I believe the basic person was the same, only smarter. In the two stories I mention here, the personality and maybe the "essence" of the person changed.
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@mommaj (23155)
• United States
31 May 09
My son has classic autism. Even if they told me there was a cure but it could kill him, I would say no way. Autism won't kill him so I don't want to take a chance of hurting him. If the surgery wouldn't hurt him but it would change him, I am still not sure I would agree to it. He is who he is. There is a chance he will improve as the years go by. If they rewire him, he won't be who he is, he may not remember anything before so what type of life would that be. He has a wonderful life. All you have to do is look at his sweet little face. I haven't gotten into the years where speech frustrates him, so I may change my mind as time goes by if he has struggles that can fixed with surgery. I don't think he should have a surgery just so he can be what other people think of as "normal". How fair would it be to take everything away from someone to give them something else because society looks at it as normal? Should we strip gays of their "gayness" so they are normal? Should we make the world speak English? Should we bleach everyone's skin so it is one color? Should everyone have the same hairstyle? My point is there is individuals in every way imaginable. I am thankful I won't have to make this decision for my son. He makes known what he wants and his world is a curious and happy place. I'll let him stay there as long as he can.
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@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
31 May 09
I wouldn't either. But for a fatal condition that would be different.
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
1 Jun 09
Yes indeed!
@mommaj (23155)
• United States
31 May 09
For a fatal condition I would consider all the factors before making a decision. Thank God it isn't anything as serious as that.
2 people like this
• United States
29 May 09
I think I would. I would do it so that I could live life and see if as others see it. Just like cancer, if you have it do you wish every day there is a cure, I would think yes. Even better if there is a cure that will not cause you pain while it trys to cure you. I would want to spend as much time with family as possible, so yes ... I would want to be cured.
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@Foxxee (3651)
• United States
3 Jun 09
Autism isn't Cancer. Can't die from Autism. Hrm...
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@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
3 Jun 09
No but I wasn't just talking about autism, that was just one example.
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
11 Jun 09
Here's another what if for you. What if the cure could fix your brain and make you "normal", but it kills you in a year or 2. Would you do it anyway? Personally speaking, no I wouldn't. Nor could I do it to my eldest child who is autistic. If these "cures" make it so that he isn't the same person or would somehow screw him up worse then no I couldn't do it. I refuse to "cure" my child. Who knows what kind of effects there are, short and long term? And I sure as hell would never forgive myself if it turned out that the cure ended up being on the list of recalled medications because it hadn't been studied long enough and it killed a few children along the way.
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
11 Jun 09
If his condition were fatal, I'd probably try anything and everything. But in the cases that you've mentioned, nope I wouldn't either.
@savypat (20216)
• United States
30 May 09
I wonder how one can answer this question. It seems to me that unless you are faced with the situation there is no way you would know how you would react. i just can't answer, sorry. Blessings
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@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
30 May 09
It is a tough one and it depends on how severe the condition is, whether the treatment is proven or experimental, etc.
• United States
4 Aug 09
my children have autism. I have a son with PDD and a daughter with classic autism. I personally am not looking for a "cure". I believe our ASD children can teach us so much about acceptance and love and seeing the world in a whole new way. I love their little quirks and obsessions and things that make them, THEM. I would def. welcome something that would help my daughter "recover" from the things that will be roadblocks. To me, Autism is a large part of who they are and I love them just the way they are! I agree with Temple Grandin, that if we "cure" autism, the world would actually suffer because there would no longer be social misfits with brilliant minds inventing all of the wonderful things like the internet etc.
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
4 Aug 09
My son is my little sweetie and I wouldn't change a thing about him, though I would make things easier on him if I could.
• India
30 May 09
This is critical question. But I'll choose not to get treated. Because I love being myself. I don't wanna be different. Moreover, I can't loose my friends, family and relations just for my life. They value more than my life!
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
30 May 09
I lean towards wanting to stay "myself" but some days the answer would be different...
@geniustiger (1694)
• Philippines
31 May 09
Thats a great problem to solve and carry. I will ask the doctor if the cure will be almost 90% but if not I will not let the baby rewired fropm operation. Might be can damage his brain cells and something. I will think it over and over whats the best for my child. I better have the child with long life than to make the operation cuts or shortens his life. Its a deep problem.
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
31 May 09
It would be a hard decision, but unless it was going to keep somebody from dying, I probably wouldn't do it either.
• United States
30 May 09
If I had one of those conditions and had the opportunity to get surgery, I would get the surgery. Even if the surgery meant I wouldn't be the same. Id rather be a little different then have to live my whole life with a sickness which would put a burden on my family. Now if it was an issue with my child I would try to speak with him or her and explain the situation. Finally I will take what the docs have told me and my family to make the best decision. I would want the best life for my child and if that meant getting surgery i would do it. -John
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
30 May 09
Asperger's most likely wouldn't put a burden on your family. Autism might, depending on how severe it is. That's why I asked several different ways, because the answer might change...
• United States
30 May 09
If I suffered from any of those conditions I'd want help. I don't think it would be feasable to think you'd lose who yu really are by doing it. I'd go for it. It would be a much harder decision in a child's case though. Mostly because they really haven't defined themselves yet. My cousin has two autistic children and with the right help they are doing really good. They just seem a little anti social, but overall they're happy loving children.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85129)
• Shingle Springs, California
30 May 09
My son is also. I don't know if I'd change him because I love the way he is, but that is my own selfish reasons. I wonder what he would choose for himself.