Vepari Jogeswara Rao
Vepari Jaya Lakshmi is 47 years old and is a resident of Lambadipeta, Vijayawada, and Krishna district. Two Sons survive her after her husband died of cancer in the year 2013. After he died, younger son Srihari dropped out of school and started working in a shop to earn a livelihood (INR 6000/month) for the family and is the sole breadwinner. The elder son, Jogeswara Rao, is deaf and dumb and is pursuing intermediate 2nd year in Madonna College Gunadala, a private college in Vijayawada. The Child is getting a disability pension of INR 1500 per month.
Vepari Jaya Lakshmi noticed hypopigmented patches on the hand and legs. When the house to house survey was conducted by the local Assistant Paramedical Officer (APMO), Mr. Subramanyam detected her having multi-bacillary Hansen’s disease. She was started on MDT – MB in 1998 and Released from Treatment (RFT) after completing the scheduled course of Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT).
In 2002, she developed anaesthesia in her left hand and both foot and pain in the left elbow joint. She consulted a local health provider (unqualified) and took treatment for one year. She developed a left ulnar and median claw hand. She approached APMO in 2004, who referred to the LEPRA Society Referral centre for management.
She visited the Referral Centre for the first time in May 2004 with fever and severe pain in her left hand. Physiotechnician examined her and found ulnar and median nerve paralysis, claw toes and multiple plantar ulcers in both feet. She was taught self-care practices (soaking, scraping, oiling) and ulcer care and provided customised MCR footwear.
Later she was referred to an NGO at Tenali for Reconstructive surgery for claw hand. She underwent surgery but in vain. When asked about her life after surgery, Jayalakshmi was a little sad and said, “I have lost my identity, and now I am dependent on my son”. When she developed visible deformities due to leprosy, she faced stigma and discrimination. The community members avoided her. House owners refused to give her house on rental.
She was not provided with a disability pension from the government. Presently the government not providing pensions for more than one person in the same household. She applied a housing scheme to the government, which is yet to materialize.
Her elder son is good in studies and is in graduation now. As he is deaf and dumb, the organization supported the child for continuing his higher education under CHAHA Educational Grant. He is only hoping for her. The child is good at academics and extracurricular activities too.