Watch Triumph at Carville: A Tale of Leprosy in America

Triumph at Carville: A Tale of Leprosy in America is a documentary produced by PBS that brings to light the forgotten story of the Carville colony, a community of people afflicted with leprosy or Hansen's disease, as it is known today, who were quarantined in a Louisiana peninsula for several decades of the 20th century.

The documentary follows the testimonies of a few surviving Carville residents, who share their experiences and memories of living with leprosy, and how the disease led to their stigmatization and isolation from society. Through a series of interviews, photos, documents, and archival footage, the documentary paints a vivid picture of the physical, emotional, and social challenges faced by the Carville patients and their families, as they struggled to cope with a condition that was widely misunderstood and feared.

One of the main strengths of the documentary is its human-centered approach, which focuses on the personal stories and perspectives of the Carville residents rather than on the medical or scientific aspects of the disease. Viewers get to meet characters like Leonard, a former WWII veteran who was diagnosed with leprosy while serving in the Philippines and was sent to Carville against his will; and Doris, a woman who was born and raised in Carville and reflects on her childhood memories of the place, both good and bad. These and other testimonies offer a poignant and eye-opening glimpse into the lives of people who lived through an era of discrimination and segregation, yet who managed to find resilience and hope in their own ways.

Moreover, the documentary sheds light on some of the social and political factors that contributed to the stigmatization and neglect of leprosy in America. For instance, it shows how the history of leprosy in the US was intertwined with notions of race, immigration, and public health policy, and how these factors affected the way that leprosy was perceived and treated by authorities and the public at large. The documentary also explores the role of the National Leprosarium (later renamed the Gillis W. Long Hansen's Disease Center) in Carville, which was established in the 1920s as a federal facility for leprosy patients but later evolved into a research center for the condition.

Overall, Triumph at Carville is a compelling and informative documentary that sheds light on an overlooked part of American history and invites viewers to reflect on the themes of illness, identity, and human dignity. It is a testament to the resilience and courage of those who lived and died in Carville, and a reminder that the fight against leprosy is far from over.