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Stories From the Field: Hamisu Isa

Sitting on a white plastic chair, Hamisu Isa, 35, listens to members of his lymphatic filariasis support group describe their symptoms, challenges, successes, and hopes. For years, he has suffered from the disease's severest form, elephantiasis.

Although Hamisu's leg and foot are enlarged and it is sometimes difficult for him to get around, he finds joy in little things that make his life easier. Today, he shows off a custom made shoe. Typical flip-flops would not fit over his swollen foot, so a friend melted the strap off another shoe and attached it to a strap on Hamisu's shoe, creating a larger flip-flop, and as a result, a shoe that fits.

Hamisu's group, the Jos urban support group, is among the first of its kind. Led by Carter Center expert Dr. John Umaru, participants learn about the transmission and prevention of lymphatic filariasis and discuss techniques for preventing skin infections. The forum is equally important for providing a place for people like Hamisu to discuss how to overcome seemingly insignificant everyday challenges, such as finding properly fitting shoes.