Prose To Go

The curious case of a 13-year-old boy living in Sleepy Eye, Minn., has probably caught your eye. Daniel Hauser has Hodgkin's disease, one of many types of lymphoma. His parents, Colleen and Anthony Hauser, have been resisting the state's efforts to force Daniel to undergo chemotherapy, citing religious reasons.

His mother even took the child and fled earlier this month after Minnesota child protection investigators and a judge determined the case to be medical neglect. The Hausers, who have eight children, are Catholics who believe in a "do no harm" philosophy espoused by American Indians known as the Nemenhah Band. This sect advocates natural healing methods.

Daniel has been called learning impaired and cannot read. He is completely dependent on his parents for guidance. He cannot vote, drive or marry legally.

Surprisingly enough, child neglect cases far outnumber physical abuse. Researchers estimate that as many as 80 percent of all cases reported are due to neglect, which includes not getting medical attention for an underage child.

Most states, of course, provide exemptions for families whose religious beliefs conflict with the child protection laws.

While the family should be able to decide what happens next, the fact is that with medical treatment, Daniel's survival chances are at least 90 percent. If he doesn't get the chemo and other recommended therapy, however, his chances are only 5 percent.

Psychologists say that Daniel, like many teens, is incapable of making treatment decisions. They say that Daniel is mostly focused on pleasing his parents. If he cannot read, how can he decide what to do?

While the adults in his life debate, Daniel is fighting a chest tumor pressing on his trachea, causing pain. He's probably having difficulty swallowing. He's running out of time.

Daniel had one round of chemo in February and needs five more, doctors say. What will happen if he doesn't get chemo? One thing's for sure. Alternative methods and prayers alone won't cure this illness; it's not going away unless he receives chemo, torturous as it is.

Chemo kills the good cells along with the bad. It's toxic but necessary if Daniel is to have any hope for survival.

Children survive cancer at amazingly high rates every day. They are resilient and have positive attitudes. Why won't Daniel's parents give him the best treatment available? What goes through their minds as they lie awake at night?

Painful and debilitating as it is, there's no question what will happen if Daniel doesn't receive chemo. He will die.