Behula Gorh had the shadow of leprosy cross her path at the tender age of 14. She lived with its unsettling effects for eight years. Today she is discovered by Damien Foundation to undergo surgery and get rid of the scourge at age of 22.
Behula hails from the Lakhansai village of the Potka district of Jharkhand. She was only 8 years when Leprosy affected her. She was treated by a local doctor to no avail. She was diagnosed correctly and treated adequately at the Government hospital. But, she lived with the scar of her disease – the deformed hands – for several years after, until one day, when a DFIT social worker, upon visiting the village for field assessment, found her and decided that she was suitable for deformity correction surgery.
She will be undergoing surgery for her deformed hands at Damien Foundation Hospital in Amda, Jharkhand. She is, needless to say, happy! Her world was turned upside down with leprosy, and now, she has a chance to lead a normal life, again. While she has a supportive community, who have always encouraged her to participate in activities, she, finally, has the confidence to try. She wants to get married, and, also support her family.
Her life is, now, full of possibilities. Let’s help her cross the last mile to happiness.