Far from where Samnieng Srichai sat knitting a waistcoat, the 83-year-old woman looked no different from other elderly people. Coming closer to her brought a surprise: her fingers, gnarled by leprosy, knitted fluidly and skilfully.

Samnieng suffered from leprosy, or Hansen’s disease, about 50 years ago. It made her fingers crooked. She also lost her left leg to the disease.

In those days she was unable to work, do housework or even look after herself. Now her life is similar to anyone else’s of her age, and she can do everything herself.

“Living here, I feel comfortable. I’m content with my life here, where I share the same problems with other leprosy patients and talk to them about our healthcare,” Samnieng said.

The Nation