Story Archive

Second Opinion

Sarah Hershberger, 10, of Homer Township, Ohio, has leukemia and multiple tumors around her body. Her parents agreed with doctors at Akron Children’s Hospital to try chemotherapy, but the girl hated it so much, her parents allowed her to leave the hospital. The hospital lied about the side-effects, the parents say, and the “terrible” effects were killing their daughter. Her mother “prayed for wisdom to discern God’s plan for Sarah,” and the Amish family chose to rely on “natural” medicine. The hospital responded by petitioning a court for limited guardianship, but a judge refused. “The court cannot deprive these parents of their right to make medical decisions for their daughter because there is not a scintilla of evidence showing the parents are unfit,” ruled Juvenile Judge John J. Lohn. “There was no basis in law and no basis in fact to file this action.” When the hospital appealed, an appeals court sent it back to Lohn for review, and he denied the hospital’s filing a second time. The hospital has filed another appeal. (RC/Medina County Gazette) ...Idea for families with sick kids who can’t afford medical insurance, and can’t get Medicaid: just say you’re withholding treatment for religious reasons, and the hospital will fight like mad to provide care.