According to Beau Berman, in his story Hospital Holds West Hartford Girl For 9 Months After Parents Argue Diagnosis, a "medical “mystery” ... has left a Connecticut family baffled and heartbroken. After a long history of medical problems, a West Hartford teenager is now “trapped” inside a hospital with seemingly no way out."
At 15, Justina Pelletier was diagnosed with mitochondrial disease, "a genetic disorder that can cause loss of muscle coordination and weakness."
Later, however, when she was ill with the flu, hospital staff "said Justina had “somatoform disorder.” In short, they were saying she suffered from a mental illness, not mitochondrial disease."
Even though the family has the support of "Dean Hokanson, the clinical psychologist who has worked with Justina the past five years", they are still fighting for custody of their daughter.
To access the news story & video, click here.
Even though the family has the support of "Dean Hokanson, the clinical psychologist who has worked with Justina the past five years", they are still fighting for custody of their daughter.
To access the news story & video, click here.
