Global Situation on Independent Living for Persons Affected by

Leprosy

José Ramirez, Jr.

International Working Group on Leprosy and Human Rights:

Nippon Foundation, Japan

United States

KNOWLEDGE ABOUT LEPORSY IS POWERFULWe are all human beings

IGNORANCE ABOUT LEPROSY IS MORE POWERFUL Images lead to stigma

LEPROSY CAN CAUSE BLINDNESSInability to blink darkens sight

SOCIETY IS BLINDED BY MYTHS AND FEAR OF LEPROSY

Inability to blink darkens sightCreates “Eye of Exclusion”

PERSONS AFFECTED AND IMPACTED ARE STARTING TO BOND Creates “Eye of Inclusion”

The Eye of Exclusion

José Ramirez, Jr.

The Eye of Inclusion

José Ramirez, Jr.