Leprosy in China

This is an account that reportedly took place in China in 1965. The province was unnamed but the place had been identified as Xuecheng District in Zaozhuang City (枣庄市薛城区).

That year, a leprosy patient was released from institutional care and he returned home where his family celebrated the occasion by throwing a feast and inviting friends and neighbors. But during the event, no matter which table the leprosy patient chose to sit at, guests at the table stood up and ran away.

The event ended with much sadness and anguish, and at the end of the meal, the family of seven all ended their lives by hanging themselves. A younger sister who returned home later witnessed the tragedy and was so distraught that she also took her own life.

Are things better now in China? Hopefully. But don't count on it.