Rising from Rejection to Renewal
"For a long time, I lived in silence and shame. After developing lymphedema, my life changed drastically. What started as swelling in my leg turned into a painful, isolating journey. My husband left me. I was abandoned and rejected — not just by the man I loved, but by many in the community. I became the subject of gossip, fear, and stigma.
People looked at me with pity, others with disgust. They didn’t understand what I was going through. I felt invisible — yet painfully visible at the same time. I stopped attending gatherings, I avoided mirrors, and I cried myself to sleep wondering, “Why me?” But then came a turning point in my life. Through the grace of God, I was connected to Bugema University Hospital and the Edema Support Foundation Uganda. These incredible
people didn’t just see a patient — they saw a woman worthy of love, dignity, and healing. They treated me with kindness and offered medical support I never thought I’d access. For the first time in years, I felt seen. I felt human again.
Their care didn’t stop at treatment. They gave me hope. They walked with me, taught me about self-care, and reminded me that lymphedema does not define who I am. Today, I can say I am no longer ashamed of my scars — they are the proof of my survival.
I may have lost a marriage, but I gained a new family in the compassionate team at Bugema and Edema Support Foundation Uganda. And now, I am focused on rebuilding my life — not in the shadows, but in the light. To every woman who has been rejected, to every person battling stigma — you are not alone. There is hope, and healing is possible.
Thank you, Bugema University Hospital. Thank you, Edema Support Foundation Uganda. You have restored more than just my health — you have restored me."
People looked at me with pity, others with disgust. They didn’t understand what I was going through. I felt invisible — yet painfully visible at the same time. I stopped attending gatherings, I avoided mirrors, and I cried myself to sleep wondering, “Why me?” But then came a turning point in my life. Through the grace of God, I was connected to Bugema University Hospital and the Edema Support Foundation Uganda. These incredible
people didn’t just see a patient — they saw a woman worthy of love, dignity, and healing. They treated me with kindness and offered medical support I never thought I’d access. For the first time in years, I felt seen. I felt human again.
Their care didn’t stop at treatment. They gave me hope. They walked with me, taught me about self-care, and reminded me that lymphedema does not define who I am. Today, I can say I am no longer ashamed of my scars — they are the proof of my survival.
I may have lost a marriage, but I gained a new family in the compassionate team at Bugema and Edema Support Foundation Uganda. And now, I am focused on rebuilding my life — not in the shadows, but in the light. To every woman who has been rejected, to every person battling stigma — you are not alone. There is hope, and healing is possible.
Thank you, Bugema University Hospital. Thank you, Edema Support Foundation Uganda. You have restored more than just my health — you have restored me."