Blind Woman Loses Discrimination Lawsuit

[Socialist Christian]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=533&ncid=533&e=9&u=/ap/20031121/ap_on_re_us/fertility_lawsuit

<snip>
DENVER - A fertility clinic accused of discrimination for refusing to help a blind woman conceive was cleared of wrongdoing Friday by a federal jury.



Kijuana Chambers, 33, who was seeking unspecified damages, put her head in her hands as U.S. District Judge Robert Blackburn read the decision.


Outside court, she said the decision would prevent other disabled women from seeking fertility treatment. Her attorney said he was considering an appeal.


Chambers had accused the Rocky Mountain Women's Health Care Center of stopping her fertility treatments in 1999 after four rounds when she refused to hire an occupational therapist to evaluate the safety of her home. Her lawsuit claimed the clinic violated two federal laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act.

[KamaAina]

1. This is why we need to stop Bush* from packing the courts

with ultra-right-wing whackjobs who are dedicated to stripping Amercians of our rights.

[demdave]

2. I understand the doctors position.

"Dr. Susan Horvath, who handled the case at the clinic, said clinic staff told her Chambers had trouble getting dressed and getting to bus stops. The staff also was concerned that Chambers had soiled underwear and wondered whether she could keep a baby clean, Horvath said."

While many blind people have great sucess at raising children, I believe there is an ethical line, regardless of how fuzzy it may be.

A blind single mother, a blind deaf single mother, a blind deaf cripple single mother, a blind deaf cripple mentally handicap cripple mother......etc.....Where does the doctor begin to have ethical questions? You are talking about the welfare of an infant. As an able bodies adult, I will tell you, it is no small feat raising an infant. I probably couldn't do it blind. I certainly couldn't do it if any additional handicaps were added.

P.S.... the P.C. police can complain about whatever term of the moment that I have stepped on but I won't listen.

[dfong63]

3. i agree

not everyone should have children.

[Scairp]

4. I agree too

I don't think that denying her the services of a fertility clinic and/or artificial insemination violates her civil rights. What I find incredible is that another doctor helped her and now she has a daughter. I hope that she has help now or the kid won't make it to her fifth birthday.

[donco6]

5. This one was dodgy . . .

I read about this in the Post when she filed the suit, and it sounded like she wasn't being honest. I believe that came out in the trial. While I'm sure there is discrimination against the blind, I don't think this woman makes a good poster child.