Confined By Leprosy, But Open To The World: Remembering 'Ambassador' Mr. Pete
Simeon Peterson lived 83 of his 89 years in institutions because of a misguided belief that leprosy was highly contagious. Many would consider it a tragic life, but he did not.
While you probably didn't know him, Simeon Augustus Peterson, called "Mr. Pete," was a much loved fixture in the small, isolated Louisiana community where he spent most of his life. And where he eventually became its emissary to the outside world.
Mr. Pete died earlier this month at 89.
He spent 83 of those years living in institutions. When he was only six years old in the Virgin Islands, he was diagnosed with Hansen's Disease, commonly known as leprosy. In those days —
