Loime D. Jornadal (Author)
Abstract
The study aimed to find out the various experiences encountered by the leprosy survivors and in preparing campaign materials to reintegrate them to the society. The main objective of the study is to determine the experiences of the leprosy survivors and how these experiences shaped their lives. It is based on the labeling theory which states that deviance is not inherent in an act, but instead focuses on the tendency of majorities to negatively label minorities or those seen as deviant from standard cultural norms. This descriptive phenomenological study method was employed to realize the purpose of this study. A structured interview through key informants and focus group discussion was conducted to sanction and validate the information on the lived experiences of people affected by leprosy gathered at Tala Leprosarium. Living with social stigma, physical disabilities and economic hardship is experienced by leprosy survivors but they resort to offering to God their situation as a means of treatment. Leprosy survivors undergo depression, isolation and losing appetite due to their severe experiences they encountered from their family and community. Rejection and humiliation is rampant because of the stigma attached to their disease. Thus, the after effect of the said experiences, they dropped out of school, abandoned by their families, and lost their self-esteem, while others opted to end their lives. The Tala Leprosarium became their sanctuary.
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Keywords: Leprosy, Reintegration, Sociological