How do we Treat the Handicapped?

No matter how we decide to look at handicapped people, the reality is that we look at them differently and usually notice them. As an example, let us look at a person whose arm has been amputated. We are taught that it is rude to look at somebody with a disability--in this case the person with the amputated arm--and teach ourselves to look away from them. Even though our child instincts--which are usually the honest instincts--tell us that somebody looks different, we have decided that it is more respectful to not recognize the missing limb. If we were handicapped, would we want somebody to be staring us? It makes complete sense but why don't we look at another perspective. We know that when we look at a handicapped person, we are not looking at them in disgust (at least in most cases). Rather, we usually look at them and feel sympathetic or become interested since it isn't what we normally see. As children, we tend to look because of our innocent curiosity which would fit the second option. Whatever the reason, it is still considered inconsiderate to stare at the handicapped. We have conditioned ourselves to stray away from our genuine reactions. We want to stare but we know that it's considered wrong. If I were handicapped, I would not want people to stare at me either; but I also would not want people to purposely look away from me. Tough situation, possibly unsolvable; but maybe we should consider what is natural.