Leprosy and its stigma have a pervading affect on
an individual’s life even after the individuals has been cured and
rehabilitated into the society, affecting marriage, employment, interpersonal
relationships, leisure activities and attendance at social and religious
functions (Monsur, 2003). In some societies they are often ostracized by their
communities, insulted, rejected and hated.
One individual who suffered from leprosy summed it up like this, ‘We can
endure losing fingers and toes, eyes and nose, but what we cannot endure is to
be rejected by those nearest and dearest’.
an individual’s life even after the individuals has been cured and
rehabilitated into the society, affecting marriage, employment, interpersonal
relationships, leisure activities and attendance at social and religious
functions (Monsur, 2003). In some societies they are often ostracized by their
communities, insulted, rejected and hated.
One individual who suffered from leprosy summed it up like this, ‘We can
endure losing fingers and toes, eyes and nose, but what we cannot endure is to
be rejected by those nearest and dearest’.
People with leprosy may lose their employment
because of their disease, the disabilities associated with it and negative
attitudes of employers. When this happens, they lose the means of supporting
their families and often the respect of their communities, with loss of
self-esteem. There can be severe financial burdens to bear. Sometimes the
stigma and ostracism of leprosy can affect the psychiatric state of the
individual. Many individuals are affected mentally, not because of the disease,
but because of society’s rejection of them. Negative attitudes towards people
with leprosy act to destroy the individual’s psychological and social health,
but also can affect them physically. There is usually a general believe that
those who have been rehabilitated may never be cured in a truly holistic way
nor be accepted back into society (Muhammed, 2001).
because of their disease, the disabilities associated with it and negative
attitudes of employers. When this happens, they lose the means of supporting
their families and often the respect of their communities, with loss of
self-esteem. There can be severe financial burdens to bear. Sometimes the
stigma and ostracism of leprosy can affect the psychiatric state of the
individual. Many individuals are affected mentally, not because of the disease,
but because of society’s rejection of them. Negative attitudes towards people
with leprosy act to destroy the individual’s psychological and social health,
but also can affect them physically. There is usually a general believe that
those who have been rehabilitated may never be cured in a truly holistic way
nor be accepted back into society (Muhammed, 2001).
