SocialStory spoke to Shankar Mali, who had to leave his family behind in Odisha for his leprosy treatment in Delhi. Read his story on this week’s survivor series.
I am Shankar Mali and I am a 46 years old leprosy patient. I am from Odisha, but for the last 26 years, I have been living in Delhi for my treatment. The state does not have many facilities for my treatment. I could only get one medication, but not a place to stay.
I have a wife who works as a domestic maid and a son who is a student. Besides them, I also have three brothers and their wives in the family.
When I came to Delhi, I had a bad ulcer and had to get my foot cut. I did not want to leave my family behind, but I did not have any other option as it was an important treatment.
Thankfully, my family were not upset and disowned me. They have read enough to know that leprosy is not contagious.
Every two years, I would go via train to my hometown and meet them. Sometimes, they would also come to Delhi to visit me.