There are many organisations around the world that work towards the goal of eradicating the causes and consequences of leprosy.
For generations people have feared leprosy, attaching a 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 ostracised from their communities.
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 organisations that 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 Organisations: Is social inclusion and empowerment possible for members? Isabelle Duff MPhil, former Programmes Director for The Leprosy Mission New Zealand. Download Isabelle's thesis here
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.