Modern Day Freakshows?

Eli Clare brings up an important point about the treatment of the disabled by medical professionals. Instead of a one on one, personal meeting with a doctor, those with disabilities are put in front of large groups of people in order to be studied by medical students. It is almost as though those with disabilities are put on display as "freaks" were put on display in circuses and freakshows in the past. However, the main difference between the disabled being presented for medical students and the freak shows of the past is the purpose. Today, the purpose of a large group of students studying one disabled person is for education, so the students can learn about the disabled in hopes of becoming a better doctor. In the past, those with disabilities were put on display for others' entertainment. Because of this different, I think there needs to be more understanding from medical professionals as well as the disabled.

Medical professionals and students need to think about the feelings of the disabled when they are being presented in front of large groups. They need to understand that in a sense, they are gawking at the disabled as people gawked at freaks in the past. However, the disabled need to be more understanding that the intentions of the students and doctors are essentially good. They are not being gawked at because it is entertaining for others, but rather to educate others about disabilities and improve the lives of those that are disabled. It is for the benefit of the disabled as well as the students to be studied, because the ultimate goal is a better life for those that are living with a disability. Because of this, there needs to be a compromise. Rather than displaying a disabled person for hundreds to look at, there should be a much more personal approach. For example, maybe one or two medical students will sit in on a disabled person's visit to the doctor. This way the students can observe and learn both about the person with the disability, as well as how they should interact on a more personal level.
-cailee 10