Impact Stories

I am Arti Kumari, aged 19-years, not married. I am a native of Bihar, India. I live with my father, mother, brother and sister (married). My health was fine until the year 2017 and I was doing my regular household chores and was studying 12th Standard. My left eye started watering I did not know the reason, my family in the beginning thought it was because of some eye infection. I was not able to study.

My family took me to several Doctor’s in various places but there was no improvement. Having spent a lot of money which drained out our meagre finances, I came to Delhi with my uncle, where I was diagnosed for Leprosy. I was having difficulty in closing my eyes and it used to water the whole day. The Doctor informed that it was too late, and I had developed an eye condition called “lagophthalmos”. I realized the beauty of my face gone, being a young girl, I had lot of aspiration. In Delhi, Gurugobind Singh Hospital referred me to Damien Foundation Margaret Leprosy and TB Hospital, Delhi (DFIT) in the year 2020. Since I was on steroids, I could not undergo surgery immediately and there were lockdowns frequently due to Covid pandemic. But I was in regular contact with the hospital and the hospital staff who arranged the medicines to reach my home. DFIT Delhi hospital team made sure that Medicines were delivered to me and follow up was done through regular video calls for my progress and counseling. I finally completed twelve months medication for leprosy along with steroid treatment. But the medication caused some side effects like gastritis, general weakness etc. I was very depressed about my physical appearance and health condition, besides that my family was pointing out to me that they had spent a lot on my treatment going to private hospitals, which made me furthermore depressed. Adding to it my education was stopped for 2 years. I had suicidal tendencies at times.

In the month of July- 2021 when the things were little normal, DFIT hospital arranged my operation in in August-2021. I was treated very well at DFIT hospital especially by the doctors and physiotherapist. I underwent Pre- Physiotherapy exercise before surgery. I underwent regular counselling session at hospital. The hospital did not charge me any amount, it was totally free including food my family was relived of the financial burden.

DFIT provided me sewing machine under LEP (Livelihood Enhancement Program) as a part of rehabilitating young people like me to be self-sustainable in life.

My dreams have come true. Damien foundation is supporting people like me and changing the lives of persons suffering from Leprosy. I would like to thank Damien foundation & its team who helped me and show the path to achieve my dreams.