Informed Consent

A mother faces the dilemma of either continuing medical care of her hopelessly ill child or putting an end to what she considers his “high-tech medical torture”. Finally, a wise clinician helps release her from her terrible conflict.

Bobby's eyes would sparkle when he talked about baseball. He knew all the top players' batting averages dating back to their rookie years. Like a lot of 12-year-old boys, Bobby loved baseball. But unlike most, he never had a chance to play little league or sandlot ball. Bobby had muscular dystrophy. His delayed motor development, waddling toe walk, and large calf muscles made the diagnosis painfully obvious when he was still a toddler. Physical therapy, bracing, and heel-cord-release surgeries were futile in preventing Bobby from being confined to a wheelchair by the time he was 8. Now, at 125 pounds, his pear-shaped body was nearly impossible for his mother Susan to handle. Caring for him was a full-time job and she had little help at home. Bobby's father, unable to …