Pope Francis’s blessing on boy with cerebral palsy ​helps raise $114000

The Pope blessed Michael Keating with the kiss last month, and following the incredible moment Michael¹s family launched a CrowdRise page to help raise money for an accessible van and additional medical care. They have received more than 900 donations on their crowdfunding page, with an average donation of $120.

After word about the family spread, the donations climbed as high as $94,000, including a $50,000 pledge from Hollywood director J.J. Abrams and his wife. Michael is 10 years old now and getting him in and out of their family vehicle is becoming hard.

Subsequently, Keating’s parents told The Washington Post that they reluctantly set up a crowdfunding campaign at the urging of family members in an effort to pay for a new accessible van since the one they have does not have a working lift. When Chuck was asked how it feels to finally have the resources to truly bless his son, he said he is really just returning the favor.

The boy, 10-year-old Michael Keating, has cerebral palsy.

“So many people have reached out to the friends and family of Michael Keating to share in the excitement of his blessing from Pope Francis”.

Michael’s mother, Kristin Keating, has had two hernia surgeries because of the strain from lifting her 70-pound son, according to the Washington Post.

The Keatings said they had hoped the pope would bless Michael but were surprised when the pontiff stopped his vehicle to do it.