When my daughter was aged 13, I developed pale patches on my body and sores on my hands and the soles of my feet, and my fingers had started to bend. I visited many doctors, but they were unable to correctly diagnose my condition. When I visited Bogura Sadar Leprosy Centre in 2017, I was told I had leprosy and referred to the Dhunot Upazila Health Complex to begin multidrug therapy.
Following my diagnosis, my wife and I were emotionally devastated. We were constantly worried about our daughter’s future and whether people would be willing to accept her because of my illness. Out of fear and stigma, we kept my diagnosis a secret and arranged her marriage when she was 16 years old.
Two years after my daughter’s marriage, I developed an ulcer on my foot, and the condition of my fingers became worse. Because of the unpleasant smell from the ulcer, people in the village stopped allowing me to enter the mosque, and people stopped visiting our home or talking to us after learning that I had leprosy. I felt isolated, rejected, and deeply distressed.
Later, staff from Lepra Bangladesh's Mind to Heart project visited our home. They provided information about leprosy, taught me self-care practices and appropriate exercises, and helped raise awareness within the community. They also trained my wife on how to support me with my daily self-care. Since then, my wife has been helping me with self-care and exercises every day.
As a result of regular care and exercises, the ulcer on my foot has completely healed, and the condition and function of my fingers has improved significantly. Regular counselling has also helped both my wife and I to cope with our emotional distress. I now feel calmer, more confident, and more at peace.
Today, I can go to the mosque and pray. People from the village visit our home and talk to us again. I feel much better physically, mentally, and socially.
I sincerely thank Lepra Bangladesh for supporting me and my family. I will remain grateful for their support in helping us regain our health, mental wellbeing, dignity, and social connections."
