Good point about the psychological effect of using a power chair, and also the disconnect between balancing unaided on horseback but needing a power chair to get around.
But then, so little about this case has ever made sense (except to the true believers.)
IMO, a deep dive into the medical records going back to her early childhood would show that the parents made it obvious to her (albeit in a subtle way) that to please them, she needed to be (or at least to pretend to be) disabled -- first with the extreme constipation issues that led to the successive bowel surgeries and then with the problems with walking. And putting that kind of pressure on an emotionally fragile and (according to Lou) developmentally disabled kid is, in my opinion, child abuse.
Let's not forget that Lou eagerly went public with charges that Justina had been physically abused at BCH and the step-down facilities --- beaten, teeth broken -- none of which ever was proven. And he said that she was paralyzed from the waist down and at death's door -- also false. So there is a history of exaggerated or false claims made to garner sympathy. It's not surprising that such a dependent child would co-operate.
But then, so little about this case has ever made sense (except to the true believers.)
IMO, a deep dive into the medical records going back to her early childhood would show that the parents made it obvious to her (albeit in a subtle way) that to please them, she needed to be (or at least to pretend to be) disabled -- first with the extreme constipation issues that led to the successive bowel surgeries and then with the problems with walking. And putting that kind of pressure on an emotionally fragile and (according to Lou) developmentally disabled kid is, in my opinion, child abuse.
Let's not forget that Lou eagerly went public with charges that Justina had been physically abused at BCH and the step-down facilities --- beaten, teeth broken -- none of which ever was proven. And he said that she was paralyzed from the waist down and at death's door -- also false. So there is a history of exaggerated or false claims made to garner sympathy. It's not surprising that such a dependent child would co-operate.