Description of the Ashley Treatment

After discussions with her doctors, and having been given the go-ahead by the ethics committee, Ashley underwent a hysterectomy, breast bud removal and appendectomy in July 2004, spending four days in hospital.
 

This was to protect her from the discomfort of menstrual cramps, which experts did not believe she could cope with, and pregnancy, should she ever become the victim of sexual abuse.
 

Preventing breast growth was also for her physical comfort.
 

High doses of oestrogen are fusing her bones together, thus preventing her growing taller and heavier.
 

Her parents want to care always for her at home but feared they might not be able to if she was larger.
 

"As a result, Ashley can continue to delight in being held in our arms and will be moved and taken on trips more frequently and will have more exposure to activities and social gatherings (for example, in the family room, back yard, swing, walks, bathtub, etc) instead of lying down in her bed staring at TV (or the ceiling) all day long."
 

Her smaller, lighter body is better suited to constant lying down and is easier to be moved around, her parents argue.
 

Source: Telegraph Article