Letters: Case of injured teenager shows failings of society

The case of Mazeratti Mitchell highlights failings on the part of two of our society's most important institutions: hospitals and children's welfare services ("Injury pits traditional vs. alternative medicine," Saturday).

Our hospitals could better serve their patients if they would embrace complementary medical treatments, as is done throughout the developed world. The Philadelphia area has many skilled health professionals who first trained as physicians yet choose to practice alternative medicine. Every day, they successfully treat serious illnesses and injuries using nontraditional practices.

The part of the Delaware County Office of Children and Youth Services in this case is shocking, as it's impossible to imagine anything worse for this child's well-being than to be removed from the custody of his loving and caring parents. They are not, after all, seeking to pray away their son's injury.

Dr. Vermell Mitchell may not have all the answers to treat her son, but no doubt neither do the doctors at Jefferson. It seems clear that the best way forward is for the doctors and the mother to work together to give the boy the best possible treatment. The office of youth services should not be involved.

Sheila Shorr

Newtown Square