Sunita Kumari Bhuiya

 

I am Sunita Kumari Bhuiya and 17 years old. I live in a village on the outskirt of Dhanbad city. ( about 80 kms from Purulia) When I was 5 years I developed patch and was diagnosed with leprosy. I took MDT for one year from Dhanbad.My father and mother passed away when I was 5 years old.

 

I have 2 sisters who were both married. One of my sisters kept me in her home but she too died about 7 years ago. I continued living with my brother in law as my other sister avoided me due to my disease.When I was on my leprosy drugs I developed small blisters on my hands and gradually develop weakness of both the hands. Though I was taking treatment, due to deformity of my hands I could not go out and even stopped attending my school. I also could not help my brother in laws’ family with the household works. As a young girl this was the most painful period of my life.

 

In December 2012 Tata Rural Development Society, an NGO working among people affected by leprosy identified me and brought me to The Leprosy Mission Hospital, Purulia. I was admitted and after physiotherapy I underwent surgery of my left hand. In 2013 I again underwent surgery on my Right hand.Now after the surgery and good post operative physiotherapy I am able to use my hands again. The appearance of my hands also improved. I am able to do household work and help my family.