Pope Francis saves acid attack victim’s life after 87 surgical operations failed

pulse-ghana admin 15:41 - 11 September 2017

Consuela Cordoba was severely injured in an acid attack 17 years ago by her ex-partner who suffered only one month in prison for the crime.

After almost two decades of pain and frustration resulting from an acid attack she suffered from ex-partner, Consuela Cordoba finally decided to end her life through mercy killing.

However, the five-day visit of pope Francis to Colombia and a rare opportunity to meet with him one-on-one made her have a mind change.

Consuela Cordoba was severely injured in an acid attack 17 years ago, and after 87 surgical operations, all in an attempt to save her face failed, she planned to end her life with a doctor's help, as euthanasia is legal in her home country, Colombia in certain circumstances.

But when she recently met Pope Francis in Colombia and sought his approval to end her life, the man of God denied the request. Rather, he encouraged her, saying she was “very brave and very pretty.”

The influence of the Pope reportedly made Consuela rescind her earlier decision to kill herself.

In 2000, her ex-partner Dagoberto Esuncho threw acid all over her inflicting terrible injuries on her.

The perpetrator was made to serve a one-month prison term, a sentence some analysts held the view was too scanty for a crime of that magnitude.

The Colombian from Istmina in the north-western Colombian department of Choco, has since undergone 87 surgical operations just to regain her natural look, but to no avail.

Reports indicate that she needs tubes in her nostrils to breathe, can only consume liquid food through a straw and has to wear a mesh body suit at all times.

However, a recent diagnosis of a brain infection compelled her to harbour thoughts of ending her life through euthanasia.

The date for the mercy killing was scheduled for September 29, so when Pope Francis visited Colombia as part of a five-day visit, Consuela asked him to endorse the euthanasia.

She had been selected to talk to the pontiff and was brought out of the crowd.

After a hug, Consuela asked the Pope to sanction her euthanasia.

Consuela revealed after her meeting with the Pope that, “He said no, he was not going to do it. He told me that I was very brave and very pretty.

“That changed my life. Now I want to live.

“Dr Gustavo Quinonez was going to give me the injection, but I'm not going to do it because God is going to bring greatness to my life.

“So that I do not die, they will donate for the surgery that I need, which will cost several million pesos.”

Despite the fact that Consuela had even planned her own grave, she said “I am going to tell Dr. Gustavo thank you very much for your injection, but it is for another.”