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Chilean girl appeals to president to be allowed to die | Chilean girl appeals to president to be allowed to die |
(35 minutes later) | |
A video posted online by a 14-year-old girl asking Chile's president to allow her to die has been viewed by thousands of people. | A video posted online by a 14-year-old girl asking Chile's president to allow her to die has been viewed by thousands of people. |
The girl, Valentina Maureira, suffers from cystic fibrosis, an incurable genetic disorder that attacks the lungs and other organs. | The girl, Valentina Maureira, suffers from cystic fibrosis, an incurable genetic disorder that attacks the lungs and other organs. |
President Michele Bachelet responded by visiting Valentina in hospital. | President Michele Bachelet responded by visiting Valentina in hospital. |
Her spokesman said Valentina could not be granted her wish but the government would pay for psychiatric treatment. | Her spokesman said Valentina could not be granted her wish but the government would pay for psychiatric treatment. |
Valentina's message has been viewed thousands of times on social networks, fuelling the debate in Chile over euthanasia, which is forbidden by law. | Valentina's message has been viewed thousands of times on social networks, fuelling the debate in Chile over euthanasia, which is forbidden by law. |
"I asked to speak urgently with the president, because I am tired of living with this disease." she said. | "I asked to speak urgently with the president, because I am tired of living with this disease." she said. |
She also said she had an older brother who died of the same illness when he was six years old so she knew what would happen to her. | She also said she had an older brother who died of the same illness when he was six years old so she knew what would happen to her. |
Her parents are supporting her demand. "This is so tough, but I have to respect her decision because she's the one who's suffering this illness," AP quoted her father Fredy as saying. | |
Cystic fibrosis attacks the lungs and makes it difficult to breathe, among other symptoms. | Cystic fibrosis attacks the lungs and makes it difficult to breathe, among other symptoms. |