Please note, the content of this real-life story has references to suicide.
At the time, she and her husband were living with her in-laws who began to suspect she had leprosy - she was unknowingly receiving burns and scalds as she was unable to feel the pain due to nerve damage caused by the disease.
Firoza visited several hospitals, but it wasn’t until a year later that she was officially diagnosed. By then her symptoms had grown increasingly worse and she struggled to use her hand.
“I felt very low when they told me it was leprosy.
The family started to refuse to eat the food I’d cooked. Then my husband started a relationship with another woman, and didn’t want to stay with me. He said it was my fault.”
I couldn’t bear the situation anymore and went back home with my parents. I felt so bad and broke down. How did I get this? Why? What will happen to me?
My father-in-law came here with divorce papers. I felt suicidal for over a year. I didn’t want to live with this sort of pain. People gossiped behind my back. I also felt bad for myself because of the worsening leprosy – it was difficult to do daily tasks. I didn’t eat or wash properly. Or do any kind of work.”
Fizora’s turning point came in 2011 when she connected with Lepra's Mind to Heart project and joined a self-support group. She learnt self-care techniques to prevent injuries from worsening and new ulcers from forming. Fizora was given a pair of protective footwear to enable her walk in comfort and aid healing.
With livelihood support, Fizora was able to establish a weaving business with her mother and regain financial independence.
Firoza was referred for counselling which was followed up with support from a Mental Motivator – a community volunteer with basic mental health training. Rupali has recovered from leprosy herself and shows great compassion for the people she supports:
“I learned how to interact with patients, especially with active listening skills. We make eye contact, show our non-verbal communication and show empathy. We also sit in a slightly side-on seating position, so it feels less confrontational.”
Over the past eight years, Rupali has visited Firoza 2-3 times a month.
“She has taught me breathing exercises, and it helps to have someone to really listen.
These days I’m feeling much better, and more motivated.”
Fizora now supports others with their journey of recovery as a leader of her local federation of people affected by leprosy.