4) People Affected By Leprosy as Working Partners
Mr. J. Ramirez, Jr.
Ni Hao, Buenos Dias, Good Morning.
My personal goal this morning is to offer a challenge to all of the participants of the Congress to work together today in an effort to achieve a higher level of unity tomorrow.
Before I start, let me share with you that this presentation was inspired by my family.
They all had the will to make a difference. My parents and siblings never abandoned me when I was diagnosed with Hansen's disease over 30 years ago. My wife, Magdalena married me in spite of initial objections from her mother. My son, Jose' Roberto, age 19 competed a questionnaire among his classmates and discovered that the number one thing they feared the most, was contracting leprosy. My daughter, Erika, age 13 constantly corrects publishers, professionals, teachers and friends on the proper use of terminology related to leprosy. They all had the will to make a difference.
Therefore, the focus of the presentation is on how you, you and I can make a difference in coming together as partners. Not as doctor and patient, but as partners. Not as researchers and subject, but as partners. Not as policy makers and policy followers, but as partners.
In the last 48 hours, you have been inundated with data that can best be described as a trend that has occurred, a trend that is occurring or a trend that is inconclusive. Well, one trend that has yet to be adequately addressed and researched is the one that I refer to as "Lessons in People Service" or LIPS for short.
Lesson in People Service(LIPS)
