KOZHIKODE: K.P. Abubacker was just ten years old when he was told he had leprosy, but it changed the course of his life forever. He had to live a dark life of 15 years at an old leprosy hospital at Chevayur. More than the life at the hospital, it was the life after getting cured of the disease that gave him the most gruesome experience, because of the stigma. This very thought of isolation encouraged him and his similar friends to start Malabar Leprosy Sahaya Committee in 1978. Now when it celebrates 38 years of existence, he is all excited to meet all the cured leprosy patients who went through the dark side of their life to forget their sufferings and enjoy the moment of togetherness.
“When we started the committee, we had some members coming from a financially better background who supported various projects for the welfare of members and their family,” said Mr Abubacker. "This time before the year ends, we will call all the people to Kozhikode to give them the best moment of their life with all the fun and entertainment." Leprosy attacks nerve endings, destroying the ability to feel pain and injury, which makes patients susceptible to ulcers and infections.
Over time, these infections can lead to the loss of fingers, hands, toes and feet if not treated properly. "The members in spite getting cured of the disease had to lose some of their organs and live in this society completely alienated. Hence we want to give them some pleasure to forget their worries," he said. "The memorable part of our committee is the financial support that we provide to the members including a monthly amount of Rs 500 to each of them. So far we have helped some 50 people with food and accommodation."
