Joseph Carey Merrick.

SLIDESHOW: Joseph Carey Merrick.

• nicki jay 2011/08/07 16:20:41
  he deserved both compassion and respect

  

  +1

  i watched the film elephant man and found it very moving, upsetting, how the people could be so cruel, some people were so shallow and weren't able to see past his disfigurement, thankfully Dr. Treves helped him to be more comfortable and cared for him in the last part of his life.

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• Murph 65 2011/08/06 20:55:00
  he deserved both compassion and respect

  

  +1

  I cannot imagine spending your life carrying a burden like this one. God bless him and Dr. Treves.

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• Sofahead 2011/08/06 15:32:18
  he deserved both compassion and respect

  

  +1

  I can understand how people would have problems getting comfortable with his presence which would making compassion and respect a little hard to advance.

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• ELLIE 2011/08/06 10:53:09
  he deserved both compassion and respect

  

  +1

  This poor guy went through so much and died so young.I am glad that he found Dr.Treves and that the medical profession were able to study this dreadful condition and help sufferers in the future.

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• Guru Ca... to ELLIE 2011/08/06 15:43:52
  

  +1

  yes
  thank you

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• ELLIE to Guru Ca... 2011/08/06 16:30:52
  

  +1

  Cheers ,Casper!

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• Nam Era Vet #1 DNA TLC 2011/08/06 03:27:15
  he deserved both compassion and respect

  

  +2

  I still remember the phrase "I am a human being"

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• i<3conanthebarbarian 2011/08/06 01:15:12
  he deserved both compassion and respect

  

  +1

  i can imagine what he must have gone through when he was a child

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• holly go lightly 2011/08/06 01:14:42
  he deserved both compassion and respect

  

  +1

  His remains have been and will continue to be studied more than anyone I can think of.Thank goodness they knew to keep them.Had he come along at a different time,they might not have them.

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• Foxy Warrior Guru 2011/08/06 00:40:07 (edited)
  he deserved both compassion and respect

  

  +5

  He was also very sensitive, compassionate, and extremely intelligent. He could quote at length out of the bible from memory, and was extremely talented at building models of buildings and landmarks from cards, (including one incredibly detailed model of a church he could see from his hospital window) although he only had the use of one hand. He was visited by and kept up a correspondence with many notables of London society, including Alexandria, Princess of Wales. Altogether a remarkable person.
  
  Card Church Built By Joseph Merrick
  

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• Gracie ~Gun Totin' Gracie~ 2011/08/06 00:36:58 (edited)
  he deserved both compassion and respect

  

  +4

  I can't even think about him because it makes me cry. I hear so many whining about how bad they have it ,and they don't even have a clue what it is like to be sick ,handicapped,disfigured to the point of having to wear something over their faces because people will stare and treat you terrible. I hope in death that he found great peace and acceptance,and much love. The doctor Frederick Treves was a good decent man and he was good to John, thank God for men like him,or John wouldn't have ever known that all humans weren't a-holes. . R.I.P John Merrick and Dr. Frederick Treves

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• Foxy Wa... to Gracie ... 2011/08/06 00:45:11
  

  +5

  The saddest thing of all was that he died just because he wanted to sleep like "normal" people. When he lay down, the weight of his head suffocated him.

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• holly g... to Foxy Wa... 2011/08/06 01:17:59
  

  +3

  He knew that would happen.he may have decided his life was fulfilled.

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• Gracie ... to Foxy Wa... 2011/08/06 01:32:53
  

  +2

  That was sad :( His whole life was sad.

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• Guru Ca... to Gracie ... 2011/08/06 15:46:36
  

  +1

  bravo
  thanks!

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• Gracie ... to Guru Ca... 2011/08/07 04:27:44
  

  +1

  

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• Nancy~PWCM~JLA~POTL 2011/08/05 23:58:12
  he deserved both compassion and respect

  

  +3

  Amazing, what a great representation of humanity and acceptance

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• oldlady 2011/08/05 23:42:33
  he deserved both compassion and respect

  

  +2

  I have read and seen the movie based on this man's life. The doctor who befriended him was his one and only true friend. It took alot of courage for Joseph to eventualy move around the elite in society given the times when people with deformaties were hidden like freaks. Joseph was very intelligent and had a big heart although it was broken many times over. Excellent post!!

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• Guru Ca... to oldlady 2011/08/06 15:48:08
  

  +1

  I AGREE
  Thanks!

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• bags 2011/08/05 23:36:56 (edited)
  he deserved both compassion and respect

  

  +7

  John Merrick was an incredible man. As a child he was treated as something far less than human, just an exhibit to earn someone money. Underfed, beaten.....it was a horrible story. Dr. Treves allowed him to live his life in peace and comfort at the Hospital. Mr. Merrick dreamed of being a gentleman, and attending the opera. He was a sensitive soul, triumphant in the face of overwhelming odds. His humanity humbles me when I begin to feel sorry for myself for what physical ailments I have.
  

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• Barefooted Nana ∞ijm♥∞AFCL 2011/08/05 23:12:31
  he deserved both compassion and respect

  

  +5

  My heart goes out him. He was a very compassionate and caring man as well as very intelligent. It is very sad that he was dealt the hand fate gave him. He is one person I would have like to meet. Blessings!~Nana

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• Guru Ca... to Barefoo... 2011/08/06 15:50:09
  

  +1

  thank you!

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• Barefoo... to Guru Ca... 2011/08/06 16:26:25
  

  +1

  :)

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• Piper 2011/08/05 23:03:24
  he deserved both compassion and respect

  

  +5

  "Was I so tall, could reach the pole,
  Or grasp the ocean with a span;
  I would be measured by the soul,
  The mind's the standard of the man."
  
  I have two books about Joseph Merrick, and those are his exact words and punctuation, at the end of his short autobiography. I wept from the beginning of the movie to the end, for this man's suffering through his whole life. Thankfully, there was some joy in his life as well. Thankfully.....

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• Xerxes,Phantom of PHAET 2011/08/05 22:36:20
  he deserved both compassion and respect

  

  +5

  I loved the movie about him, so sad

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• Guru Ca... to Xerxes,... 2011/08/05 22:38:15
  

  +1

  thanks

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• Junior-BN-0 2011/08/05 22:29:58
  he deserved both compassion and respect

  

  +4

  I applaud Treves for caring for him when no one else even bothered.

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• Guru Ca... to Junior-... 2011/08/05 22:38:31
  

  +1

  yes

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• lynn.crago 2011/08/05 22:29:00 (edited)
  he deserved both compassion and respect

  

  +5

  i think that he deserve both compassion and respect

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• Guru Ca... to lynn.crago 2011/08/05 22:38:48
  

  +3

  me too
  thanks

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• Junior-... to Guru Ca... 2011/08/05 22:47:49
  

  +1

  You're welcome :-D
  
  Thanks for the info :-D

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• lynn.crago to Guru Ca... 2011/08/05 23:59:42
  

  +1

  u are welcome

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