The following story is one of many we see on a regular basis, showing what a profound difference leprosy medication can make in the lives of our patients. We asked Nathaniel* from Mthatha in the Eastern Cape to share his story in his own words.
“I work as a bricklayer, all my life. It became so difficult in life to stay jobless due to having swollen hands and feet by leprosy.
By God’s grace I now see a huge difference ever since I started the medication.
I recently went to Cape Town for construction jobs with the guys I am working with for two months. I realised when I was already there that I forgot my medication! That is why now I have these lesions raising again, and I feel it from inside, the veins itching. I lost my phone and the contacts, so I was unreachable.
I just came back for this reason because this is my life, and I appreciate it because God has given me another chance to survive through this medication. I appreciate it so much because I now can feel, unlike before when my feet and hands were so numb, such that I would see myself already hurt without feeling when I got hurt.
My hands and feet used to be so stiff and hard, as if they had no blood inside. In fact, I would feel like they were just stones hanging from my arms. But now I see and feel them becoming soft and flexing bit by bit. I will continue exercising much caution, as safety comes first in our construction work.”
Nathaniel was encouraged to take his daily dose of medication with immediate effect. We also collected more contacts, in case there is another time when we’re not able to reach him.
*Name has been changed.