Stigma

I am sure you must have heard of the word Stigma.

One entry says Stigma is - a strong feeling of disapproval that most people in a society have about something, especially when this is unfair
Another one is even more brutal - a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person.



We all know what it is. Stigma exists . Associated with many things. And it is also associated with Leprosy. Sadly for no fault of the the one who suffer from it. 
It is disease. It needs to be treated like a disease. It just needs to be treated. Period. 
But there is stigma. Discrimination. There is neglect. There is Apathy.
So whose fault is it? Not one person. One group or even a nation.
The fault is ignorance as a whole. The fault is preconceived ideas. The fault is a reflex. 
We need to change that. I know it is hard if you have that pre-conceived ideas or the reflex but is not entirely difficult to be rid of it. 
We tend to be comfortable with what we have grown to believe. But sometimes beliefs needs to be changed or amended. In this case, it certainly needs to be. I will come to that at a later date. 
But for today you need to accept whether you have a stigma as far as leprosy patient is concerned. 

1. Would you speak to a leprosy patient?
2. Would you shake hands with a leprosy patient?
3.Would you be friends with a patient of Leprosy?
4. Would you tell or share with your friends or relatives if by any chance contracted the disease? 
5. Would you be comfortable going to a doctor or taking treatment if by any chance you suspected yourself of having the disease.?

If any of the answer to the above is NO , then you my dear have a stigma as far as Leprosy is concerned. 
And most importantly if you are smug with the thought that it doesn't matter to you in any way, that though by the definition is not Stigma, 
But Apathy is also a form of STIGMA. The Biggest form.