Poisoned family of four blessed by Pope Francis in unannounced visit

'Neurologically, it's like being in a torture chamber'

During his visit to the United States, Pope Francis carved out enough time to visit a Delaware family, all of whom are still paralyzed six months after being poisoned during their Caribbean vacation.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Brian Tierney, whose company dealt with media for the World Meeting of Families conference, confirmed the unannounced papal visit to the Esmond family before his arrival at the Philadelphia International Airport. 

During the brief visit, Pope Francis kissed the family members and blessed them.

The Delaware family of four was exposed to methyl bromide after it was sprayed below their condo in the Virgin Islands by exterminator company Terminix, who sprayed the unit below theirs. 
After the family suffered nerve damage -the father was found unconscious and his wife and two sons were having seizures- they were rushed to a Delaware hospital where doctors say they might never fully recover.

49-year-old Steve Esmond, 48-year-old Dr. Theresa, 16-year-old Sean and 14-year-old Ryan were exposed to the poison in late March and both boys are still hardly able to move. Theresa, a dentist, has since healed and is considered to be in good condition but Steve has difficulty speaking. Though his speech is coming along slowly, he continues to heal.

Both Sean and Ryan were placed in medically-induced comas for weeks and have yet to fully heal from the paralysis suffered by the effects of the pesticide. They currently are unable to move, eat or walk unaided.

The family lawyer, James Maron, said, "neurologically, it's like being in a torture chamber."
The pesticide Terminix used is illegal in several countries but the United States allows it for agricultural uses. Anyone using methyl bromide are legally obligated to add an odor so people and animals can be aware of its presence and is not supposed to be used in residences. 

The Environmental Protection Agency and Justice Department opened an investigation in the Virgin Island and in Puerto Rico while the Terminix worker who used the pesticide is on administration leave. 

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