News & Press
Dr. Paul Kelly of ENT and Allergy Associates wrote an article called Glee And Self Acceptance for a Southampton newspaper
07/28/2011 in news
'Glee' And Self Acceptance
Supporting those who have the means and have educated themselves in the pursuit of self improvement is reasonable. (Courtesy Photo: mobilemakeoverltd.com)
Southampton - If you are like many television watchers the show called "Glee" has become a Tuesday night favorite - addressing many relevant personal and social issues. The show is particularly attractive to the pre-teen and young teenage crowd as well as to us older people who love fun music and levity.
A recently aired episode is one designed to address self acceptance. Every one of us may be made in the image of a greater being but certainly none of us are without small or not so small imperfections. This episode begins with one of the lead characters nursing back to health a broken nose. The story progresses to her consideration for cosmetic surgery to not only repair the broken nose but to create a newer more aesthetically pleasing nose for the character. The rest of the show is focused on her cohorts trying to convince her that her nose is not what defines her or a feature that they feel she should modify. A final scene entails a singing dancing number in which each character has a tee-shirt created with their "imperfection" on the front of the shirt in bold letters.
This episode, while with great value, is suggesting that we each have imperfections which should be accepted and embraced. But it also outlawed the idea of changing a feature that is your bane and is reparable. As a Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon who sees not only the physical change possible with surgery but a true change in the spiritual being of patients who post-operatively have for the first time achieved an image consistent with their ideal, I was saddened that the secondary message relayed was contrary to the idea of plastic surgery. No one is against dance lessons for those who can't dance or eye surgery to help one see better and forego the requirement for glasses - but the thought of Plastic Surgery is met with a much different reaction. Why is this? Societal spotlight for the few who go under the knife for reasons we deem irresponsible and vain?
While Plastic surgery is not for everyone, I think that supporting those who have the means and have educated themselves in the pursuit of self improvement is reasonable.
Dr. Paul E. Kelly attended the University of Notre Dame (B.S. Biology); obtained his Doctorate in Medicine at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, and completed his general surgery internship and head and neck surgery residency in New Mexico at the University Health Science Center. He pursued his training in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Texas in Houston. He holds two Board Certifications in which he is a Diplomate of the American Board of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery and a Diplomate of the American Board of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery. For more go to www.entandallergy.com, or call 631-727-8050.