Full Description
This collection of twelve life stories delves into the experiences of families of Hansen's Disease (Leprosy) patients who tell their own stories in their own words. In detailed interviews spanning more than ten years, Ai Kurosaka presents their struggles from the previously neglected perspective of family members of patients. The storytellers tell how they were torn by experiences of separation, discrimination and broken relationships. Like fugitives, many spent years hiding the truth and deceiving others to protect themselves and their families, and they reveal how this affected their relationships with others, but also with themselves.
These recollections reveal agony and repentance, but are also stories of resilience that show the courage of the storytellers in speaking up and in challenging the government's policy on Hansen's Disease. This book breaks the silence of families of Hansen's Disease patients and seeks to restore relationships for families of patients and the wider society.
Contents
Figure
Photographs
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Short History of Hansen's Disease in Japan
Part I: Stories as Told by Daughters and Sisters
Episode 1: Restored Memories
Episode 2: Thanking Parents for Giving Birth to Me
Episode 3: Painful Consciousness of Hating My Own Father
Episode 4: I Should Have Been Nicer to My Father
Episode 5: Never Ever Moving Away
Episode 6: Living in the Sanatorium despite Being a Non?patient
Part II: Stories as Told by Sons and Brothers
Episode 7: Son of a 'Leper'
Episode 8: At the Forefront of the Bereaved
Families' Lawsuit
Episode 9: Forced out of High School
Episode 10: Growing up without Knowing Parents
Episode 11: Proudly Born in Wak?en
Episode 12: Unfulfilled Aspirations
Conclusion
Notes
References
Further Reading
Index
