Botched Circumcision Leaves Infant with Partial Penis
I shared this shocking story via the ForeskinFacts Twitter a few weeks ago, but it bears repeating again on my blog.
Earlier this year, when Maggie Rhodes took her three-month-old son Ashton in for a “routine” infant circumcision at Christ Community Health Center in Memphis, the doctor botched the surgery and removed part of the baby’s penis. Worse yet, the hospital sent the suffering infant home without anesthesia and without informing Ms. Rhodes of the error. This poor baby was sent home with a diaper filled with blood and the little guy was screaming his heart out. (Click here to read the full news story.)
I feel so bad for Ashton and the hard live he’s going to live, and it was all completely preventable. He was a healthy little baby brought in for an unnecessary surgery, and although I’m sure he’ll be awarded something in a lawsuit, I don’t think any amount of money will make up for his loss.
These types of circumcision horror stories illustrate exactly why I encourage all parents to think twice about having their son circumcised. This was a 100% preventable mutilation. Don’t take a healthy baby in for a surgery he doesn’t need. It’s not worth the risk.
I urge all parents and parents-to-be to really think about how precious and perfect your little bundle of joy is. Think about how much you’ll love him and want to protect him from the world. You would never want him to suffer any harm, would you?
In this case, you don’t have to. Your son is born healthy and happy, and if all goes well for him, he won’t need any kind of surgery for a very long time. That is the beauty of how nature designed our bodies. Newborn children are perfect the way they are. They don’t need a part of their organ cut off like some spare part.
Please bring your whole son home. Ask yourself how you could ever ask forgiveness from your son if he suffered the same fate as poor little Ashton in Memphis, Tennessee.