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The Disease: One Man's Journey Through a Life with Leprosy
Johnny P. Harmon, a good looking and intelligent Texan has plans to become a Texas A&M civil engineer, marry a good woman, and have a couple of kids. Without warning, he becomes a leper instead. He becomes a member of society's most feared and ostracized community. Johnny initially thinks that being confined to Carville would amount to a death sentence. Within a short time, he begins a new life for himself within the barbed wire fences of Carville. He creates a successful photography business, becomes a passionate advocate for the patients and falls in love with another patient.This memoir speaks of one person's fortitude to live the best life possible no matter what the circumstances. It speaks of determination, resilience, and courage. It is also a history of the National Leprosarium in Carville, Louisiana from 1930 to 1955 when patients were treated more like inmates in a prison than patients in a hospital. But most of all, it is a love story about two patients who were discouraged from marrying and having children by hospital authorities. The book contains 30 images of photos, paintings, cartoons and illustrations by Johnny.
- GenresHistory
170 pages, Paperback
Published December 7, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 15, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. What a bitter-sweet story told from the perspective of Johnny P. Harmon. I was very inspired as I read all of the experiences that Johnny Harmon lived before and after being diagnosed with Hansen's Disease (or what others referred to as Leprosy). What incredible resolve this man had and he summed it all up so well in his last chapter titled: "Why".
This is one of those books that will go overlooked. "The Disease" is an inspirational autobiography that will make you smile (some stories made me chuckle). I was left motivated to push through my own struggles and encouraged to always be grateful for the simple things that I have been given.
This is one of those books that will go overlooked. "The Disease" is an inspirational autobiography that will make you smile (some stories made me chuckle). I was left motivated to push through my own struggles and encouraged to always be grateful for the simple things that I have been given.
February 26, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up
This book, loaned to me by a friend I volunteer with because she knows I am a reader and I love to learn, highlights one of the things Louisiana can be proud of, and one man’s journey living at the hospital.
In 1894 the Louisiana State Legislature established the first-ever home for people afflicted with leprosy, now known as Hansen’s Disease, named after Dr. Gerard Hansen, the Norwegian physician who discovered the bacterium that causes leprosy in 1873. This center became the only place that took people in who were afflicted by this horrible disease. It was the only one within the country and possibly in the world. This book is the memoir of one man who lived there.
You would think that a book on this topic would be so depressing, but Johnny P. Harmon, the author, might change your mind about that. This memoir is a story as much about the Hansen’s Disease Hospital in Carville, Louisiana, and the incredible strides it was able to make in treating this disease as it is about Harmon. I had heard about the hospital in Carville but did not know much about it. The hospital thankfully is no longer necessary, but research continues at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine as, sadly, the disease has not been completely eradicated. The veterinary medicine is involved because, oddly enough, the lowly armadillo is the only animal that can carry the bacterium. Fortunately, treatment has advanced to where the disfiguring effects of the disease can now be largely contained.
Johnny Harmon’s family was devastated by this disease, but fortunately, Johnny was able to live a full life with many of his symptoms controlled. He entered the hospital when it was in its earlier stages of development, but later on the property swelled to contain acres and acres of land with lush oak trees, recreational areas, and nice living quarters. It was a haven for these people who had been haunted by stares of outsiders who did not understand the disease. Hansen’s Disease is not contagious, as once thought, and that stigma has finally been eradicated.
It was so interesting to me to read about Johnny and his life, and I was able to learn a lot, which I always appreciate. The book was edited by Johnny’s daughter, Anne Harmon Brett, who is a journalist. Johnny died at the age of 91.
This book, loaned to me by a friend I volunteer with because she knows I am a reader and I love to learn, highlights one of the things Louisiana can be proud of, and one man’s journey living at the hospital.
In 1894 the Louisiana State Legislature established the first-ever home for people afflicted with leprosy, now known as Hansen’s Disease, named after Dr. Gerard Hansen, the Norwegian physician who discovered the bacterium that causes leprosy in 1873. This center became the only place that took people in who were afflicted by this horrible disease. It was the only one within the country and possibly in the world. This book is the memoir of one man who lived there.
You would think that a book on this topic would be so depressing, but Johnny P. Harmon, the author, might change your mind about that. This memoir is a story as much about the Hansen’s Disease Hospital in Carville, Louisiana, and the incredible strides it was able to make in treating this disease as it is about Harmon. I had heard about the hospital in Carville but did not know much about it. The hospital thankfully is no longer necessary, but research continues at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine as, sadly, the disease has not been completely eradicated. The veterinary medicine is involved because, oddly enough, the lowly armadillo is the only animal that can carry the bacterium. Fortunately, treatment has advanced to where the disfiguring effects of the disease can now be largely contained.
Johnny Harmon’s family was devastated by this disease, but fortunately, Johnny was able to live a full life with many of his symptoms controlled. He entered the hospital when it was in its earlier stages of development, but later on the property swelled to contain acres and acres of land with lush oak trees, recreational areas, and nice living quarters. It was a haven for these people who had been haunted by stares of outsiders who did not understand the disease. Hansen’s Disease is not contagious, as once thought, and that stigma has finally been eradicated.
It was so interesting to me to read about Johnny and his life, and I was able to learn a lot, which I always appreciate. The book was edited by Johnny’s daughter, Anne Harmon Brett, who is a journalist. Johnny died at the age of 91.
July 18, 2021
This book gives a look, as through a peephole, of a family and community who faced fear and ostracism from an age- old disease. Persistence, perseverance, and blind, eternal hope prevails. They make their way through countless changes, uncertainty, loss, and grief, yet nothing in this book is heavy. It is a snippet of satisfying, everyday life and survival from what many feared most.
The most critical editor may find flaws, but the story transcends. Amazingly, the author edits, compiles and does an extraordinary job of laboring over her successful, romantic fathers precious, countless, rambling journals, retelling her parents story…her story.
Would love to see a well-made movie from this book. It would truly inspire!
Great job, Anne!
The most critical editor may find flaws, but the story transcends. Amazingly, the author edits, compiles and does an extraordinary job of laboring over her successful, romantic fathers precious, countless, rambling journals, retelling her parents story…her story.
Would love to see a well-made movie from this book. It would truly inspire!
Great job, Anne!
February 1, 2020
Anyone who had the honor of knowing the Harmons while living in Vacherie, Louisiana should read this book, and everybody else should read it too. It’s so well written you could go from start to finish in a few hours (not counting the time spent searching for Kleenex and the fact that words are very blurry through tears). It is the story of a great man ,John Harmon, and his triumph over lifelong hardships.My dad who contracted polio at the tender age of three always said that “adversity builds character”. Well Mr Harmon was a skyscraper of character. Great book and it would make a fantastic movie!!
February 8, 2020
Amazing
Loved reading this book. I liked the short clip format, it made it very easy to read. Grew up in Vacherie and knew the Harmon family, but was not aware of the entire story. Warmed my heart to read of their journey as well as brought back great memories of people and places in the Vacherie area. Definitely informative of how people who were afflicted with Leprosy had to live and what they went through. Such a special story! Amazing read!
Loved reading this book. I liked the short clip format, it made it very easy to read. Grew up in Vacherie and knew the Harmon family, but was not aware of the entire story. Warmed my heart to read of their journey as well as brought back great memories of people and places in the Vacherie area. Definitely informative of how people who were afflicted with Leprosy had to live and what they went through. Such a special story! Amazing read!
May 24, 2023
This book shined a light on a corner of life I would not have considered: a family beset by Hansen’s Disease (leprosy) in the South. Edited from a primary document of a man who spent time in the National Leprosarium in Carville, Louisiana and had a long, fruitful life filled with love and family. It is a surprisingly moving book.
December 31, 2020
Very insightful and inspiring book
It was a very interesting read. Reading it helped me feel grateful for my blessings and helped me to realize at there are others who may be dealing with very challenging circumstances.
It was a very interesting read. Reading it helped me feel grateful for my blessings and helped me to realize at there are others who may be dealing with very challenging circumstances.
November 18, 2025
A truly unique perspective on a medical condition I had little knowledge about. It's a quick read and very interesting.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews