‘I don’t have to hide my hands anymore’
At one of the leprosy hospitals that LEPRA supports, situated in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh visitors are introduced to the very real disabilities caused by late diagnosis of leprosy.
‘As I walked through the wards I was shocked to see the number of children – at least half of the patients were under 16.’
Here we met Dinesh, the youngest patient, who was missing his family.
Dinesh first observed patches around his fingers. Misdiagnosis by a local practitioner meant that Dinesh’s condition worsened. One year later, motor and sensory damage caused by leprosy meant his fingers started to tighten and claw, making it difficult to catch a ball or play marbles.
Dinesh told us, ‘On seeing my patches, my school friends told me to sit in the back row and not play with them. I used to keep my hand hidden in my pocket. I felt sad and very alone’.
Yet there was hope for Dinesh. A health-screening camp identified Dinesh’s condition and surgeons at the hospital operated on his hand. But our support doesn’t end here, the hospital plays a key role in recovery and rehabilitation. Dinesh practised post-operative hand exercises daily. He attended classes to keep up with his school work, where others were learning to count and write their name.
Dinesh even started to play cricket again and couldn’t wait to show his hand to his parents, teachers, and friends. He said, ‘My class mates will play with me again’.
The hospital, St Jospeh’s, represents what is best in LEPRA’s holistic approach to health.
‘I will carry Dinesh’s radiant smile in my mind for a long time, together with the care and love shown by the dedicated staff.’
How you can help restore hope and health for others affected by leprosy:
Leprosy is completely curable, yet it is still a major health problem. One case is diagnosed every two minutes. If detected early enough, it has no lasting effect.
A gift today could help us to prevent child disability through training of government and other health staff in providing the vital services that prevent, reduce or remove disability.
Thank you to our sponsor Bambino Direct, one of the UK’s largest Nursery stores who stock a huge range of pushchairs, car seats, travel systems and prams from brands such as Maxi Cosi, Quinny, Britax and Bugaboo.
Posted by nicolettedawson 11:27 30.09.2011
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Thanks to you, young Rakesh no longer fears the future.
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