Parents: 'Ashley treatment' successful

SEATTLE, March 12 (UPI) -- Parents of a severely disabled Washington state girl who underwent medical procedures to stunt her growth said the surgeries were the right decision.

The parents, one year after the treatment began, said the procedures -- which included a hysterectomy, breast surgery and drug treatments to keep the girl from growing -- could be used to help other parents care for their severely disabled children, CNN reported Wednesday.

"The 'Ashley treatment' has been successful in every expected way," Ashley's parents said in an e-mail. "It has potential to help many others like it helped our precious daughter."

However, the procedure has been the subject of controversy since it was first revealed to the public. Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center in Seattle has conceded that state laws were violated and the doctor who treated the girl committed suicide.

"Ashley did not grow in height or weight in the last year, she will always be flat-chested, and she will never suffer any menstrual pain, cramps or bleeding," the parents said.