**Some details of this story were "filled in" to better understand its context**
This is a story like so many others. There isn't much uniqueness to it. But in the end it's a beautiful story because it inspires one in so many unfathomable directions.
Juan (*Name Changed*) is a poor man who lives in the interior of the country. He struggles to support his family working hard in his
chacra. He plans mandioc, corn, pumpkins and other marketable produce. He probably has a cow or two and definitely some pigs and chickens. He works hard from sun-up to sun-down, deftly wielding a
machete to harvest his goods. His wife is equally as busy in the home with the children and regular house work. Nothing comes easy for them, but they get by and are happy.
One day Juan's wife notices that he has a fever, but Juan still goes out to the fields. Nothing hurts and the day can still be profitable. At the end of the day Juan returns home tired from the harvest and showers. As they eat supper together his wife notices a rash on his arm. "What happened?" she asks. Juan isn't sure. It doesn't hurt and looks like a sunburn. He tells his wife not to worry and the topic is dropped. Days go by and the fever persists and the rash opens up and boils appear which eventually ulcerate. Both begin to worry.
On one of their many Mobile Dermatology Clinics, health professionals from the Mennonite Leprosy Hospital find Juan. Some preliminary testing is done and Juan finally has an answer - Leprosy. There is relief with the news of the diagnosis, yet at the same time fear because of the social connotations of this disease. Juan begins his treatment and they go back home, hoping to keep his diagnosis a secret.
Juan cuts himself with the machete while working one day and must take some days off from his hard work in order to recover. Neighbors, friends and family are nearby to lend a hand and help out where there is need. Juan and his family are truly grateful for the help. But one day the secret comes out and the faithful help dwindles. With his still-injured, yet recovering hand Juan returns to the fields.
As is common with all Leprosy patients, Juan's body begins to react to his treatment. The boils which had initially appeared to cure returned. And this time it hurt all over. He and his wife go to the Mennonite Hospital in search of a solution to his never-ending saga of non-healing wounds and the pain.
This is when I meet Juan. The doctors have decided that Juan needs a skin graft and a skin transplant to patch of the parts of him that don't heal. Leprosy severs nerves, therefore blocking the neural signals that tell the brain that the injured site needs help (blood flow, regular scarring process, etc). I walk into his room expecting to find a disinterested man hoping to get out of there as soon as possible. Perhaps even depressed and wondering why all this is happening to him. What I find is a funny man. He's sitting in his hospital bed laughing with his wife and including the other patients in his lively conversation. I'm quite frankly blown away.
I meet up again with Juan a day after his surgery. He is back in his regular hospital room. The surgery was a success. Once again, he is all smiles. I remind him who I am and ask him a few questions. He says he's happy that he finally got the transplant because now his body will look more "normal" and his neighbors won't be so afraid of him. Most importantly, he is happy to be able to return to the fields to work and support his family. His wife? She's nearby and is also smiling. "He will finally be able to help more around the house."
I can't help but be impressed by the humble gratefulness of the couple. They are hard-working people simply trying to survive in life. He was unfortunate enough to have contracted this disease. However, he's a fighter and a survivor. The physical scars will forever remain because the wounds were deep. But in the end (and perhaps what matters most) he has secured for himself a new chance... a new life. From the graft and transplant new life will begin and hopefully also in his home.
