Every so often you come across a case that just chills you to the bone. For me, this story is it. Daniel Hauser is a Minnesota teenager dying of Hodgkin’s Lymphona. At a time when most kids are thinking about which video game to play, he is facing chemotherapy - well at least he should be. Although Hodgkin’s is perfectly treatable with chemo, the boy and his parents have refused treatment because they want to heal him naturally. What the fuck? They belong to the Nemenhah Band. The Missouri-based religious group believes in natural healing methods advocated by some American Indians - all natural healing. All I could say when I saw this story was - how the fuck did that natural healing ideal work out for the American Indian? Have you been to a reservation lately?

I believe in a person’s right to decide for themselves. However, I totally believe that parents should not be allowed to withhold treatment from children OR allow children to make that decision for themselves. There is a reason why a child can’t fucking sign a contract in this country. There is a reason why kids aren’t allowed to do certain things. If they knew all they needed to know, they wouldn’t need parents. Both Anthony and Colleen Hauser believe that Daniel is a medicine man - whatever the hell that is - and that he can heal himself naturally. Well the chance of surviving this type of cancer with chemo is 90%. The chance without it is 5%.

The case is now before a judge because the doctor treating the little boy called child protective services after the parents refused treatment. You know what I say? If they don’t want him treated, treat him anyway. If this kid dies without treatment, they should be charged in his death. Maybe the parents want to get rid of him. Maybe this is a passive agressive attempt at getting rid of him. Maybe not. Whatever it is, it is very, very stupid. People need to start using common sense. If the boy could naturally heal himself, his body would have done it. Obviously something is wrong that requires more than just the standard course of care. Modern medicine isn’t perfect, but it does help people sometimes. Parents should NOT have the ultimate say in something like this. We just don’t know their motives - no matter what they say. If the needs of the child are paramount, then treat him and let’s move on. There are people who would sacrifice everything to save their children if they could. Parents - stop being stupid and treat your child so that he doesn’t die from this treatable cancer!

Read the whole story here.