Brooklyn Teen Blessed by Pope Francis Finds Purpose After Lyme Disease Diagnosis

A Moment of Grace with Pope Francis

• 🌟 In September 2015, a young girl from Brooklyn, Julia Brazes, experienced a profound moment when she was blessed by Pope Francis.
• 💬 Julia, then 11 years old, was losing sight of herself and her faith, and the Pope's blessing provided her with a sense of peace and reassurance.
• 🙏 She described the encounter as feeling like the "stars aligned," reaffirming her faith during a difficult time.

The Battle with Lyme Disease

• 💔 Julia's health began to decline rapidly at age 9 after a tick bite, leading to her becoming unable to walk within two years.
• ❓ Doctors were initially unable to diagnose her condition, creating a "dark time" for Julia and her family due to the lack of answers.
• ♿ During her encounter with the Pope at JFK airport, Julia, who was in a wheelchair, asked for a miracle to walk again.

Finding Purpose and Community

• 💡 While Julia still cannot walk, her encounter with the Pope led to connecting with the right doctors, resulting in a diagnosis of Lyme disease.
• 🤝 The public sharing of her story after the Pope's blessing led to an outpouring of support from others suffering from Lyme disease, making her feel less alone.
• 🌱 Julia has found a new purpose through this experience, cherishing the blessing and the community she discovered, and is now exploring new therapies.
• 💖 She expresses deep gratitude to Pope Francis for the positive impact he has had on her life and her family's life.