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I was diagnosed with Hansen's disease when I was eighteen in 1997 and began treatment shortly thereafter. I was still
in college at the time, but was still able to graduate magna cum laude and get married even with all the additional stresses.
I am now twenty-seven, my skin smears and biopsies are all negative, and I have two wonderful boys.
I have had both
negative and positive experiences living with this disease, as is expected. The most profound experience was to have a primary
care physician not give me the respect I deserved, of shaking my hand and introducing himself on my initial visit to him.
He chose instead, to speak to me from inside the doorway. This was because he knew I had Hansen's disease.
I now know
how truly blessed I am to have a supportive family and open-minded friends who love me, perhaps even more, because of my struggles
and my determination to keep fighting on. I have learned that as a person with Hansen's disease it is important to never leave
your doctor's office without having your questions answered. The key to getting well is in our hands. You may not be able
to control what is going on inside your body, but the more knowledge you have about Hansen's disease is the more empowered
you begin to feel. If for some reason your doctor does not have an answer then get it yourself. I found that sometimes the
best prevention is self-education.
Written by Nicole H. Holmes
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