FDA, Ban Shock Therapy Devices NOW!
- by: Susan V
- recipient: US Food and Drug Administration
Some still believe that inflicting pain and fear is an acceptable method for modifying behavior that could lead to disabled adults inflicting harm on themselves or others. But the Rotenberg Center near Boston “is the only place in the country” says Propublica, that still uses controversial shock therapy devices that deliver “a painful shock to residents’ skin when they engage in undesirable or dangerous behaviors.”
Although the FDA dropped the ball on investigating this practice earlier, when Rotenberg was using these devices on disabled children, now the agency is considering banning them altogether.
According to the FDA’s investigation, says Propublica, the devices “can cause both physical and psychological harm” that includes “risks of pain, burns, tissue damage, depression, fear and aggression," even causing "a resident to enter a catatonic state." And this therapy can worsen the symptoms it is supposed to alleviate, adds the report.
Currently, adds Propublica, 56 of the center’s 251 residents wear the shock devices, and one reportedly described being “scared” and feeling at times as if his/her life was "in danger.“ “There are days,“ the student adds, “when I am scared to even say a word to anyone. I am afraid to wake up because I never know what is going to happen to me, I get so depressed here I wish my life by fast.”
No one, especially a disabled person whose rights have been taken from them, should have to live like this. Sign this petition to urge FDA to ban these shock devices now!
To FDA Medical Device Division:
As someone who has advocated for the rights of disabled persons, I am writing to ask for an immediate ban on not only these shock devices used at Rotenberg but also on electroshock therapy of any kind - used in any setting where the recipient is denied the right to reject such therapy.
[Your Comments]
According to Wikipedia‘s description of the shock therapy practice used by the Judge Rotenberg Center, the Center is to be applauded for rejecting the overuse of psychotropic drugs to control behavior and employing “positive behavioral intervention.” It should also be commended for its zero rejection/expulsion policy. However there has to be a better way to discourage and prevent harmful behaviors than by creating pain and fear with this shock device therapy, which can also cause harm.
The description of the one resident’s existence at Rotenburg, alone, should be enough to persuade Rotenberg and FDA that something is very wrong with this picture - that no one, for any reason, should have to live in an environment where pain and fear are intentionally inflicted, particularly upon disabled people who have lost the right to make decisions for themselves.
Therefore, I, the undersigned, urge FDA to ban these shock devices at once.
Thanks for your time.
[Your Name]
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