Saturday Ryan and I went with our friend Bay and some of his friends from New Zealand (where he lived for 2 years) to The Mckean Rehabilitation Center, which is a center for individuals with leprosy. I had no idea what to expect, I did not know a whole lot about the disease except what I had heard in the Bible about Jesus loving even the lepers. I started asking more about the disease on the way out there, trying to prepare myself for what I was about to see. I found out that it is caused by 2 bacteria, mycobacterium leprae and mycobacterium lepromatosis. It is a disease of the peripheral nerves, and mucosa of the upper respiratory tract (I did some research). Skin lesions are the main outward sign of the disease. It does damage to the skin, nerves, limbs, and eyes, which can cause infections in body parts, which causes loss of tissue in your body. You see many with shortened fingers, arms, or legs, which is the result of the tissue loss.
In the early twentieth century missionaries in Chiang Mai grew a large concern for the increase in leprosy sufferers, who were getting rejected from their homes and villages because so many feared the disease. In 1907 Dr. James McKean and some other missionaries asked to use the Koh Klang, which is an island surrounded by a canal and river, to found a leprosy center. This land had been used before by the rulers and they would keep their elephants on the island – many locals believed it was actually haunted by the spirit of a wild white elephant. Soon there were bamboo houses being built as McKean started taking in leprosy sufferers. Chiang Mai Leper Sylum was founded in 1908, which was heard about everywhere shortly after and began growing like wildfire. Some would even walk from China, Laos, and Burma to try and have a refuge where they can finally live a peaceful life.
Today, Thailand is still a leading country that is fighting the leprosy problem and continuing to grow in the services they offer. More than 500 new cases of leprosy were diagnosed in Thailand in 2007, and about 300,000 worldwide. So much of this disease is misunderstood, and there is a stigma that gets carried with it. They look to the people around them in these centers as their new families, since many of their own have abandoned them due to the minimized knowledge people know about leprosy. This center is out of the national Protestant Church, The Church of Christ in Thailand and raises about 70% of its own budget- the rest is earned by donations. The support is critical to the increasing need of gaining more knowledge about leprosy and new treatments and to continue to give these people hope of a new life.
That is a little history on the center that we went to. When we arrived we shopped at the store that had mostly all handmade crafts and things to buy – all the patients who live there make them daily. They have an extraordinary talent. We then went back to a workshop where a man was working, carving wood in to this picture that he had taped on the wall. I could not stop watching him, every slice he made to the wood was so precise and smooth – and all the carvings came out beautifully. This is the picture of the guy who I stood watching.
After that we then went on to the women’s dorm area where the ladies lived. I will not lie- I was in a bit of shock. When I first thought of a treatment center, I guess I had a picture in my head of the type of nursing homes we have back at home, nice buildings, indoors, air conditioning, and very clean. This was about the opposite, it is about 50% indoors – no doors though so just open doorways from the room to outside (I could not stop thinking about all the creatures that probably come into there at night). One lady was sitting on the floor on her mat, while another one was feeding her bread soaked in a soup type food. The lady on the floor was bone thin, and blind as her eyes had been taken from the leprosy. We all came into the room, and sat down and were just talking with her. Two more patients then came into the room and sat down with us with a big smile on their faces and non stop laughter. I could not stop thinking “ how are these people happy, how are they not soaking in self pity angry with the disease they have attained”. We started singing some songs, and just listening to what they had to say. One lady, the cutest little thing, was talking about how she used to live in the top floor of one of her childrens homes in Bangkok and was glad she was no longer there because it was always so hot and the care was not the greatest. Most of these patients have little to no contact with their children or any other family members. Most get dropped off then hardly ever talked to again. I was trying so hard to hold back my tears as I heard this, I could never ever imagine leaving my parents somewhere and not seeing them daily or taking care of them. All I could think was how selfish for those who left them here to hardly talk to them or check in on them, and to see the attitude and humbleness in these ladies eyes was unbelievable. They pray for their kids everyday, they thank God that they have the people around them that they do, and they listen to the events going on in the world and pray for those as well! They do not sulk in their disease, but instead embrace God and are thankful for so many things – which many of us take for granted.
I learned so much from just sitting with them for that short period of time, and kept thinking about all the things I whine about and sulk about and I felt so ashamed and ungrateful it was sickening. I prayed that whole time, thanking God for everything He had given me and asking for forgiveness for the way I take things for granted or un-appreciate things in my life. It was definitely a day where it made me take a step back and re-evaluate my outlook on life.
After we went to the ladies dorm area, we then went to the mens dorm area. Most were sleeping so we did not talk to many, but there was one who was Bay’s favorite who was up and smiling that we did get a chance to talk to. Bay prepared us and said to not be too shocked when we see him, we walked in and it was this old man with only his upper half of his body. I froze for about half a second to take it in, then saw his big smile just to see people to talk to. He was the most cheerful man, always a smile and a laugh and about five of us line danced for him! We did the electric slide, which is one of my FAVORITE dances ever! He just laughed and laughed, because it was definitely a humorous site at that. I just couldn’t imagine that such a little thing brought such joy to someones life.
I am so glad I had the opportunity to go and see this center. It is amazing what they are doing, and how they are changing these peoples lives. We get so stuck in our bubble at home, or at least I do, that you forget what is out there in this world and how much we all have to be so thankful for, even in situations where it seems you have lost everything. God never leaves our sides, He is there through thick and thin – even when it seems you are all alone.
Our fancy ride there! I wanted to paint some vibrant colors and peace signs on this baby!
These are where the patients that could still maintain independent living lived, the houses were one room with a bed, dresser, a desk and then a bathroom and storage area in the back
Us all sitting around talking and singing with the ladies in their room, these individuals needed care everyday so there were 4 beds in one room where they stayed and nurses tended to them
One of the ladies who was still able to live on her own, showed us her house and we stayed and chatted for awhile then she wanted us to get a group picture!
Hope you enjoyed reading and looking at these pictures! I have about 4 days left, we leave Thursday evening at 11:20. I am both sad to be leaving and excited to be going home at the same time. This truly has been a trip of a lifetime, and so glad that I came. It has been life changing and cannot wait till the day that I come back. Love to all!
