Leprosy Affected

Leprosy is a relative of tuberculosis and is spread in similar ways---by people coughing out droplets of infected water before these people are known to be infected. Yunnan has more than 27,000 known leprosy-affected people. This figure is presently increasing by about 600 each year, even though many of those affected are dying each year. Programs for bringing love to people affected by leprosy are now established in five sites. Though the disease is cured by antibiotics in those diagnosed and treated, there are often residual effects of peripheral nerve damage that cause progressive disabilities. Motor deficits, blindness, and chronic troubles with unhealed wounds are quite common. In addition, because of the stigma attached to the disease, many have lost hope for the future and are emotionally depressed and lonely. The work is to love these wounded souls and help clients learn how to protect insensitive eyes, hands and feet through awareness and avoidance of risks. We also provide protective gloves and shoes and modifications to cooking pots to prevent the all-too-common burning of hands.

We engage two approaches to impact the needs of these friends. The Community Rehabilitation group interacts with the Medical group to bring a two-pronged delivery. The Medical Group sees to the more immediate physical aspects of the need. They might perform eyelid surgery to improve closure of insensitive eyes, bring them to our prosthetics area to provide artificial legs for those who have severely damaged feet amputated. The Rehab Team might then be able to help them find ways to generate income through types of work suitable for their disabilities. For example, one patient was given a grant to buy a milk cow. It will be safer work for him than heavy digging, which was causing regular wounds to his hands and feet. Sometimes we help to replace mud homes that are falling down. Sometimes a clean water supply and electricity can be arranged. Special funds are collected and distributed for the education of poor children of disabled persons. Ongoing wound care and other aspects of the education these friends so badly need is always a major part of the assistance given.