20th of June - 3rd day of treating

One group visited the Leprosy Ward at Jesuit Ashram. Patients included people with just cuts and small leisons to those who have lived with Leprosy for 40 years and suffer blindness, loss of didgets, limbs, eyes & sight.

The meaning of the word "Ashram" is "Community" and this is evident here. We found the Leprosy patients to be very happy, kind, welcoming and generous people with a marvelous sense of optimism. The Jesuit Ashram encorages their patients to work in the gardens, rice paddies and help make bandages for other patients. Some families have mulitple members, one family have 3 children admitted to the Ashram ranging from 10 -15 years. The treatments provided at the Leprosy Ward have great success with many patients only requiring treatment for 2-3 months if the parasite is caught in early stages. Some of the more severe cases had Leprosy for years before knowing, and therefore did not seek early intervention. Like the HIV ward at the Jesuit Ashram, counselling is available for all patients. It seems that many patients support each other and enjoy a wonderful social enviroment. We are amazed at what the Jesuit Ashram achieves with so little and greatly admire their work.

Students were able to give treatments to some of the Leprosy patients. One Leprosy Patient (Gentleman Pictured) had half of his face was paralyzed, one eye missing blind in the other, shaking with pain. His L5 was significantly posterior, neck was subluxated at C1 and his entire cervical spine was 80% restricted. With all of this, his major complaint was lower back pain. L5 was adjusted, SOT technique was preformed on C3 & C4. The result was immediate relief, global muscle easing due to relief from the pain. His cervical spine was completely relieved of tension, his weeping and shaking ceased. This may answer the question if you have ever asked "What can Chiropractic do for Leprosy?"

21.06.2008 UPDATE - This man was living in a separate room due to his weeping disturbing the other patients, the next day he was moved into a room with other patients as his weeping had ceased.

Students found it difficult & confronting visiting the Leprosy ward, but feel privileged for the experience.

The first group of Chiro students that came to Siliguri in 2006 were able to purchase and fit a prosthetic leg for a 12 yo girl at Chenga School who lost her leg in a vehicle accident. We were lucky enough to see her again, 14, happy, healthy and mobile!