Adaline Deal, a 12-year-old girl from Indiana, has been denied a spot on the heart transplant waiting list at Cincinnati Children's Hospital due to her unvaccinated status. Adaline suffers from two heart conditions, Ebstein's anomaly and Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome, and requires a transplant to survive.
Adaline's parents, Jeneen and Brayton Deal, are members of a non-denominational Christian church and object to vaccinations on religious and medical grounds. They claim the hospital is refusing to honor their beliefs and are considering taking Adaline to a different transplant center that doesn't require vaccinations.
Cincinnati Children's Hospital maintains that vaccinations are crucial for transplant patients due to their weakened immune systems. They emphasize that these decisions are made in consultation with the patient's family and follow established guidelines from the American Society of Transplant Surgeons.
The Deals have faced criticism for their decision, with some accusing them of jeopardizing their daughter's health. However, they maintain that they are following their conscience and doing what they believe is best for Adaline.
9 Comments
G P Floyd Jr
The Deal family is making a difficult decision based on their own beliefs and values. They should not be criticized for following their conscience.
Martin L King
The hospital should respect the family's religious freedom. Denying Adaline a transplant based on her vaccination status is discrimination.
Rolihlahla
It's important to remember that there are potential risks associated with vaccines, and parents have the right to choose what they believe is best for their child.
Martin L King
I understand the hospital's concerns about infection, but surely there are other ways to mitigate those risks without denying Adaline a lifesaving transplant.
Karamba
We need to focus on finding a solution that works for everyone involved, rather than engaging in blame and criticism.
Africa
I understand their religious objections, but in this case, the science is clear. Vaccinations are crucial for protecting transplant patients from potentially fatal infections. Putting Adaline's life at risk for religious reasons is simply unacceptable.
Comandante
The media needs to stop portraying the Deal family as villains. They are simply trying to do what they believe is right for their daughter.
Habibi
This is a complex situation with no easy answers. It's important to be respectful of all viewpoints and avoid making judgments about the family's decision.
ZmeeLove
It breaks my heart that this child is caught in the middle of her parents' beliefs and her own health needs. Her life is on the line, and the parents need to prioritize her well-being over their religious objections.