Fw: Ref.: (LML) The Star – January – June 2023, Volume 64-33

 

Leprosy Mailing List – July 19,  2023

 

Ref.:  (LML) The Star – January – June 2023, Volume 64-33

 

From:  José Ramirez, Jr., Houston, USA

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Dear Pieter and colleagues,

 

For 100 years, the publication, The Star, has endeavored to "radiate the light of truth on Hansen's disease."

It began in the 1930's when patients at the "leprosy hospital" in Carville, Louisiana, United States, embarked on a journey to educate others about this extremely misunderstood disease. 

In the 1940's with financial support from the 40 & 8, an organization of military veterans, the publication was instrumental in relaying a message of hope for individuals undergoing treatment in isolated facilities.

In the 1950's The STAR became an advocate for basic human rights, and a strong voice for the use of the term Hansen's disease, to replace the use of stigmatizing language.

In the 1960's the patient-driven publication celebrated World Leprosy Day on the last Sunday in January, first officially declared in the United States by President John F. Kennedy.

In the 1970's the publication was distributed to all continents, and read by thousands living in segregated institutions. These individuals became advocates in their own communities.

 

In the 1980's and thereafter, as medications became more commonly used to attack the bacilli, more and more people spoke openly about their positive experiences returning to their communities. During this time, The STAR published many stories of these successes.

The STAR has had eight Managing Editors. All eight were patients--sent involuntarily--to the treatment facility in Carville. Now, their combined compassion, makes The STAR a publication worth reading for those associated with Hansen's disease, as a medical expert or advocate. 

We hope you enjoy this issue (see attached file).

 

José Ramirez, Jr., LCSW

Managing Editor, The Star

Chair, Board of Directors, IDEA

 

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LML - S Deepak, B Naafs, S Noto and P Schreuder

LML blog link: http://leprosymailinglist.blogspot.it/

Contact: Dr Pieter Schreuder << editorlml@gmail.com

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