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Tasmanian Anglican

November 2003

 

Obituary

Ten fingers for God stilled

 

 

Renowned for his biography, Ten Fingers for God, written by Dorothy Clarke, Dr Paul Brand, world renowned hand surgeon and leprosy specialist died from complications related to a brain haemhorrage in July in Washington, USA, aged 89. Paul is one God's saints, whose gentle spirit and surgical legacy touch the lives of millions of people around the world

Born to English missionary parents in India in 1914 he obtained his medical and surgical degrees in England where he became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons. In 1946 he accepted a teaching position at the Vellore Medical College in India where he saw the stigmatising and disabling deformities of untreated leprosy and determined to devote his life to preventing and correcting such deformities. His treatment of leprosy patients drew on his experience with polio patients and bomb-blast victims in World War II and on his background in carpentry. He pioneered surgical procedures for correcting deformities and established a reputation as a leader in the field of reconstructive surgery. A gifted speaker and writer, Dr Brand will be remembered for his outstanding contribution to the medical treatment of people affected by leprosy and for his inspiring books, co-written with Philip Yancey: Fearfully and Wonderfully Made, In His Image and Pain - the Gift Nobody Wants.

Joy

Speaking recently to Philip Yancey, with whom he co-authored several books, Paul said 'because of where I practised medicine, I never made much money... but as I look back over a life time of surgery, the host of friends who were once patients bring me more joy than wealth can ever bring. I first met them when they were suffering and afraid. As their doctor I shared their pain . Now that I am old, it's their love and gratitude that illuminates the continuing pathway of my life. It is strange that those of us who involve ourselves in places where there is the most suffering, look back in surprise to find that it was there that we discovered the reality of joy.'

In 1966 after 17 years in India he moved to the US, and later became president of the Leprosy Mission International based in London. In retirement he continued work in an advisory role to TLMI and the World health Organisation.

From the Leprosy Mission Newsletter. Well-known Hobart nurse Maggie Mead has been working with leprosy sufferers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for the last ten years.