7 year-old girl who escaped death twice is WYD ambassador

Sydney, Australia, May 23, 2008 / 14:07 pm

Her name is Sophie Delezio, and at eight years old she has already miraculously survived two serious accidents.  In spite of suffering burns over 85% of her body, losing both her legs, several fingers and her right ear, she never stopped fighting.  This Australian girl has been chosen to be one of World Youth Day 2008’s ambassadors.
 
At the young age of 3, Sophie was badly injured when a car crashed into her pre-school, trapping her under the burning vehicle. Then in 2006 she was hit by a car as she was crossing the road in her wheelchair.
 
The story of Sophie is known throughout Australia, as her two accidents led to several national campaigns and the entire country followed her condition for several months.
 
The Delezio family is convinced that Sophie overcame her grave condition thanks to the intercession of Blessed Mary MacKillop, the Australian nun who is one of the ten patrons of WYD Sydney 2008.
 
The organizers of WYD have named Sophie ambassador of the event that will take place July 15-20.
 
“It’s a pleasure for us to be a part of WYD.  It’s a way of thanking God and the Church. We have lived through difficult times.  Our child was in the hands of doctors and we couldn’t do anything else but pray.  We knew there were millions of people praying in Australia for Sophie and for other children,” said Ron, Sophie’s father.
 
“Faith in Christ and in the Church has given us the strength to keep going and gave Sophie hope in the future” he added.