For generations people have feared leprosy, attaching harsh social stigma to people who have the disease.  Thousands of people have been (and continue to be) rejected by their families and friends and ostracized by the communities in which they live. 

There are many organisations around the world that work towards the goal of eradicating the causes and consequences of leprosy, including an increasing number of grassroots organizations which are made up of people experiencing leprosy, disability and social exclusion.

Books and Further Reading:

Caring Comes First - The Leprosy Mission Story, by Cyril Davey
Published by Marshall Pickering, 1987

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made, by Paul Brand and Philip Yancey
Published by Zondervan, 1987

In His Image, by Paul Brand and Philip Yancey
Published by Zondervan, 1987

The Gift of Pain: Why we Hurt and What We Can Do About it,
by Philip Yancey and Paul Brand
Published by Zondervan, 1997

Ten Fingers for God, by Dorothy Clarke Wilson
Published by Hodder Christian Paperbacks, 1985

Clinical Mechanics of the Hand, by Paul Brand
Published by Elsevier Science Health, 1999

Exploring Grassroots Leprosy Organiastions : Is social inclusion and empowerment possible for members?  Isabelle Duff MPhil, former Programmes Director for The Leprosy Mission New Zealand
Thesis Paper by Isabelle Duff MPhil, 2005

Download Isabelle's thesis here

The Resource Section of this site has a great selection of PowerPoint Presentations, historical documents, inTOUCH publications, Press Releases, Video's, Stories and up-to-date News!

Follow these links for more information:

  
 
World Health Organisation:  www.who.int/lep

IDEA:   http://www.idealeprosydignity.org/

The Leprosy Mission International:   http://www.leprosymission.org/

Novartis:   http://www.novartisfoundation.org/page/search/index.asp?Menu=3&Item=73&ID=741

The Leprosy Mission New Zealand Partners are other great sources of information