Leprosy ; You Are The Cure P.S. The slide would run on its own, please, do not click unless it’s the green button. =D Click to advance…

Purpose Leprosy is curable. Yes it is. Many do not think so as the first impression that is imprinted in their minds by leprosy victims are that leprosy is a contagious disease and somewhere within those ugly wounds contain deadly germs. However, never would they know that what is incurable to leprosy victims are the impressions that were etched in the peoples mind. curable. This is done by interviewing a normal member of society on what is his mindset on leprosy. The purpose of this article is plainly to educate and inform the public on the truth of leprosy and what they can do to help leprosy victims to not get despised by society.

Leprosy FACTS Leprosy is caused by bacteria or germs called Mycobacterium leprae. It is an infection that affects the skin and the nerves of the hands and feet and can also cause problems in the eyes and nose. In most cases, it is spread through long-term contact with a person who has the disease but has not been treated. Most people will never develop the disease even if they are exposed to the bacteria. Of the world's population, 95% have a natural immunity to leprosy. So you see, you don’t get leprosy that easily even if you want to.

Leprosy FACTS Leprosy is not a genetic disease. Most people with leprosy do not have other family members affected, although occasionally several members of one family are affected. Patients on medicine for leprosy do not spread the disease. When a person is placed on medication, most of the bacteria are killed within a few days. Within two weeks of starting the medicine, there is no risk of spreading the disease to anyone else. It is not necessary to isolate a person with leprosy at any time. Also, it is NOT transmitted through sexual contact or pregnancy.

Signs of Leprosy The most common first sign is usually a spot on the skin that may be slightly red, darker, or lighter than normal skin. The spot may also become numb and have lost hair. Some of these spots may slowly increase in size and new spots may appear on other parts of the body. More often they appear on the arms, legs, or back. Sometimes the only sign may be numbness in a finger or toe.

Interview Questions What do you know about leprosy? What is your current mindset on leprosy victims? How or where or where did you get that mindset from? After telling you about leprosy, what is your current thinking on leprosy and its victims? After knowing so much, from the view-point of an employer, are you willing to accept and employ ex-leprosy victims? Why or why not?

Interview Questions Now, from the view point of yourself, are you willing to make contact with a person infected with the disease? Why or why not? How do you feel about those who alienate these victims? If you have a choice, would you rather visit a leprosy home or a old folks home? Why?

…Loading…Please be patient… Interview …Loading…Please be patient… Actually…I haven't done it yet…=X Haha… just joking… CLICK

Interview Me: Good afternoon, what do you know about leprosy? Bro: Actually, I’m not very sure about this disease, all I know that it seems to affect the skin of the victims and it causes ugly wounds. Me: What is your current mindset on leprosy victims? Bro: It makes you think that you want to avoid them due to their ugly wounds and if they touch you, the disease will spread.

Interview Me: Where or how did you get that mindset from? Bro: I guess it’s a natural human reaction that you want to avoid them since the wounds look so ugly and contagious. Me: Leprosy is actually caused by a bacterial infection and cause numbness to some parts of the body. It is only contractible through prolonged contact with an affected person who is not under medication and if he/she is under medication, the bacteria would be killed within days. The ugly wounds that you see on people on the streets are actually caused by inflammation on normal cuts and wounds as leprosy victims experience numbness on parts of his body. Leprosy is not a genetic disease. Most people with leprosy do not have other family members affected. Adding on, most people will never develop the disease even if they are exposed to the bacteria. Of the world's population, 95% have a natural immunity to leprosy. After telling you about leprosy, what is your current thinking on leprosy and its victims? Bro: The disease is not as terrible as it looks since it is only contagious through long term contact with an affected person who is not taking medication and it is curable. We should not be avoiding them.

Interview Me: After knowing so much, from the view-point of an employer, are you willing to accept and employ ex-leprosy victims? Why or why not? Bro: It depends on the nature of the work, they may not be appropriate for work pertaining to the service sector since there would still be scars on the skins and may be visible to the customers. I’m fine however if the work is office bound and does not require a lot of customer contact. Me: Now, from the view point of yourself, are you willing to make contact with a person infected with the disease? Why or why not? Bro: If he/she is under medication, should not find it a major issue. Me: How do you feel about those who alienate these victims? Bro: Again, it is society’s natural reaction when they see such victims, it is therefore important to educate the public in order to raise awareness to the facts of this disease.

Interview Me: If you have a choice, would you rather visit a leprosy home or a old folks home? Why? Bro: I’m generally fine with both since the purpose would be to help them get accepted by the society or in any ways that is needed. Me: Ok, thank you so much for this interview

3 Difficulties Faced… It is very difficult to persuade to interviewee into taking my interview. Interviewee is very nervous in answering my questions, this make him stammer. My writing speed is not able to catch up with what the interviewee says.

2 Things Learnt… I really have to plan out the interview nicely or else my interviewee and I would be stammering I have to make sure I carry out the interview in a quiet place as the living room can be very distracting

To pay a visit to the leprosy home 1 Thing in the Future To pay a visit to the leprosy home

Thank you for your kind attention!! Credits www.leprosy.org Thank you for your kind attention!!