Meet the faces of The Leprosy News

Throughout this edition of The Leprosy News, you have seen the faces of persons affected by leprosy and persons with disability. Their photos have been used to illustrate the points being made in the articles and to help you to connect with what we were saying.

Of course, there are real people behind those photos, so we wanted to give you a chance to read about their lives so that they become more than just a photo.

Lawal and Ladidi, Nigeria

Lawal (pictured with his wife, Ladidi) is in his 70s and has ten children. He first discovered symptoms of leprosy when he was preparing for his marriage. His soon-to-be in-laws aborted the marriage when they found out.

After treatment, Lawal started getting better and received a prosthetic limb. He earns a living by farming and a trade in firewood.

"They are taking good care of us and we are happy you see my prosthetic limb, this is the third one I've received and all was done here for free. How can I not be happy?"

Tania and her son, Bangladesh

Tania is a mother of two in her late 20s. She received treatment at The Leprosy Mission's DBLM Hospital in Bangladesh.

"There is God, and there are doctors. In between, there is no one for us. This is how I see this hospital. My two-year-old son is playing on this hospital premises. I have no one at home to take care of him. When I told this to the hospital, they let me bring my child. Otherwise, my treatment would not have been possible. I lost my legs, I had multiple operations, but I want to live for my children. I have a daughter and a son.

“My husband is also affected by leprosy. We found each other when we were in the hospital, and we got married after we returned to our homes. This is how our story begins. I hope that my children will be educated. I want them to serve humankind just like the doctors working in this place for all of us. I also fear: what if our children suffer from this disease? It's my biggest nightmare, I cannot imagine this. So, I hope and pray research will be done, treatment will be there so there will be no longer be any untreated cases that remain in this area within this country or in this world.

“This is my home. Because of the doctors, nurses and staff we are able to return to our family with happiness. I want to live for my children and am not going to give up living.”

Photo Credit: Fabeha Monir

Dhanmati, Nepal

Dhanmati (on the right) was diagnosed with leprosy after developing skin patches without sensation upon touch. However, after a year of continuous Multi Drug Therapy medication, Dhanmati was completely cured. She did not show any fear or panic when diagnosed with leprosy. Instead, she was determined to follow her medication regimen strictly, with the help of her granddaughter-in-law's reminders. She credits her family's support and love for her speedy recovery.

Although Dhanmati suffers from joint aches and pain in her knees, she continues to enjoy spending a little time with the water buffaloes that her family rears in a shed behind their ancestral home. Dhanmati's family members are vigilant about any signs of leprosy and have any skin patches or blisters checked up for signs of the disease whenever possible.
Photo credit: Rabik Upadhayay

Nsimbu, DR Congo

Nsimbu lives with his wife. They have 6 children, all of whom are grown up and live elsewhere.

“Five years ago I started to get wounds on my legs. I was also getting feverish around this time, though I thought that was due to malaria. I had patches covering my body.” His wife agrees with him: “In those two years I saw so many wounds, and he always had a fever.

“I couldn’t work hard in this time, I couldn’t work fast. My wife was doing everything. The fever incapacitated me constantly.”

It was his wife who eventually told Mathos at the TLM apprentices’ workshop, and he referred him to hospital. He was diagnosed three years ago with leprosy.

“When I was diagnosed I was depressed and distraught. I was ready to drink battery acid and end my life. But the doctors told me I’d be ok and gave me hope, and that’s why I’m alive.

“When I’d completed the MDT, I observed changes in my legs. Mathos from TLM provided me with bandages and gave me self-care training. I still do self-care every morning and evening.

“I still get tired doing farm work. But I’m happy now. I accept how I am, because I’ve received a lot of advice from doctors and community leaders. Life is still hard, but I have no worries.” Photo credit: Tom Bradley

Yeshewawork, Ethiopia

Yeshewawork is in her 20s. She lost her right leg due to a serious gangrene infection.

She was traumatised by the experience and suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder. She was also rejected by her family and felt like she couldn't do anything for herself. After a few months of being discharged from the hospital and completing her rehabilitation with a prosthesis orthosis device for her amputated leg, Yeshewawork was able to get help from the We Are Able project.

After she became a member of an OPD, she took part in different disability-related trainings and got peer counselling and support from OPD members. She was also able to join an income generating activity group (IGA) that consists of five members, three of whom are women.

In the IGA group, Yeshewawork received short-term training (three months) in basic computer and IT skills. After successfully completing the training, the group lobbied the government body to secure a working area in the compounds of the Woreda administration and also received basic working equipment from TLM and ENAPAL. With this support, Yeshewawork and other group members were able to start their own business providing basic computer services such as photocopying, printing, writing, laminating and binding.

'I am dreaming of increasing the quality and scope of our services through fulfilling some remaining gaps, in collaboration with all group members and other partners.’