Bishal Paswan, 11
Bishal and his mother Kumari are both affected by leprosy. Bishal is in class 5 of the local government school, which he says he enjoys.
They are from an untouchable caste, and both parents work as labourers on farms, getting whatever work they can. “Sometimes we get work, sometimes not.” Says Kumari. “When we don’t, we struggle to find food to eat. Right now it’s harvest time, so there’s work. Then we try and save rice for when there’s no work.”
Kumari noticed anaesthetic patches on her legs and elbow when she got pregnant for a second time, about 18 years ago. It was PB leprosy, and she took MDT for 5 months, but then had a miscarriage, and the medicine got forgotten about.
7 months later she eventually went back to Lalgadh and they put her on MB MDT which she then completed. Now she has no anaesthetic patches.
Meanwhile Bishal has a patch on his left cheek, which first appeared about a year ago. Kumari took him to the local health post, where he was referred to Lalgadh. He completed PB MDT earlier this year (2018).
Bishal was sent to the self-care training unit for 2 weeks and learned how to do the right exercises to help the slight lacopthalmus he has in his left eye (pictured). Lalita and Binod, the visiting Lalgadh field staff both note that his eye has noticeably improved. Bishal confirms that he does the exercises at home each day – at night before bed. He puffs out his cheeks to blow to prevent facial paralysis. He used to have anaesthesia on his face, but it’s almost disappeared now.
“I really enjoyed my time at Lalgadh – everyone was really nice at the training centre. When I saw there was a problem with my eye I was really afraid. I was afraid it was incurable. But now it feels better.”
According to his mother, he’s also more at ease now that the lacopthalmus is improving with the exercises. “I remind him to do it daily, though sometimes he just runs away to play with his friends.” She laughs. They often go to play marbles and other games together.
He also has two older sisters, 14 and 20 (married).
Photographed while on assignment for American Leprosy Missions and effect:hope.
Ragunathpur, Dhanusha. Nepal 2018
Bishal and his mother Kumari are both affected by leprosy. Bishal is in class 5 of the local government school, which he says he enjoys.
They are from an untouchable caste, and both parents work as labourers on farms, getting whatever work they can. “Sometimes we get work, sometimes not.” Says Kumari. “When we don’t, we struggle to find food to eat. Right now it’s harvest time, so there’s work. Then we try and save rice for when there’s no work.”
Kumari noticed anaesthetic patches on her legs and elbow when she got pregnant for a second time, about 18 years ago. It was PB leprosy, and she took MDT for 5 months, but then had a miscarriage, and the medicine got forgotten about.
7 months later she eventually went back to Lalgadh and they put her on MB MDT which she then completed. Now she has no anaesthetic patches.
Meanwhile Bishal has a patch on his left cheek, which first appeared about a year ago. Kumari took him to the local health post, where he was referred to Lalgadh. He completed PB MDT earlier this year (2018).
Bishal was sent to the self-care training unit for 2 weeks and learned how to do the right exercises to help the slight lacopthalmus he has in his left eye (pictured). Lalita and Binod, the visiting Lalgadh field staff both note that his eye has noticeably improved. Bishal confirms that he does the exercises at home each day – at night before bed. He puffs out his cheeks to blow to prevent facial paralysis. He used to have anaesthesia on his face, but it’s almost disappeared now.
“I really enjoyed my time at Lalgadh – everyone was really nice at the training centre. When I saw there was a problem with my eye I was really afraid. I was afraid it was incurable. But now it feels better.”
According to his mother, he’s also more at ease now that the lacopthalmus is improving with the exercises. “I remind him to do it daily, though sometimes he just runs away to play with his friends.” She laughs. They often go to play marbles and other games together.
He also has two older sisters, 14 and 20 (married).
Photographed while on assignment for American Leprosy Missions and effect:hope.
Ragunathpur, Dhanusha. Nepal 2018