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Independent Living versus Medical Model: In Independent the Living movement you have self direction and you are called a consumer. You have a voice and a choice living a self directed life making choices on your own living as you see fit and you want to be treated the same as anyone else not better not worse just the same.
Under the Medical Model, the role of an individual in need of long-term care is characterized as a "patient" or "client" or someone to be "acted upon," "intervened with," or "treated." With the Independent Living philosophy an individual is a participant, consumer or citizen presumed to be competent to have autonomy over their lives.
Under the "Medical Model" assumption, the physician is the technically competent expert. The medical model supports the belief that medical care should be administered through a chain of authority wherein the physician is the principal decision-maker. The "patient" is expected to assume the "sick" role. The sick role consists of two interrelated sets of exemptions and obligations: A sick person is exempted from "normal" social activities and responsibilities depending on the nature and severity of the illness. A sick person is exempted from any responsibility for his/her illness.
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