Donations pour in for boy who was blessed by the pope

The family of a 10-year-old boy who has cerebral palsy was amazed when Pope Francis started his trip to Philadelphia last month by blessing the child.

Then the blessings continued to pour in.

They came in donations of $10 and $25 and $500 and $1,000. And a $50,000 donation came from J.J. Abrams, the director of the coming Star Wars movie, and his wife.

More than 940 donations totaling more than $115,000 have come in to help the family through the online fund-raiser "Michael Keating: Blessed By Pope Francis" on Crowdrise.

Kristin and Chuck Keating, of Caernarvon Township, Berks County, the parents of 10-year-old Michael, thought maybe donations from the online fund-raiser that relatives started could be the down payment on a new van, one with a working lift.

When they had a free moment at home Tuesday - the day after a Washington Post story on the family mentioned the online fund-raiser - they saw how much money had been donated. They could not believe what was happening, Chuck Keating said.

"Really, there were no words said. It was almost overwhelming," he said Wednesday afternoon. "The generosity of people, it's been amazing."

Kristin Keating, in a post on Facebook on Tuesday night, said her family represents millions who have a family member with special needs and encouraged their family's supporters to help other families as well.

Michael, who was born premature, cannot use his arms or legs, has seizures and intellectual disabilities, and has had several surgeries.

Michael's body cannot cool him properly, so he loves the fall weather, his father said.

Chuck Keating said that whenever he sees a picture of Pope Francis kissing Michael, he thinks about how lucky the family is and the beauty of the moment.

He also thinks of other beautiful moments, the everyday ones. The other night, he and his wife just stared as their 13-year-old daughter, Katie, held Michael in her lap while sitting next to Michael's twin brother, Chris, as their black Labrador, Shiloh, doled out kisses.

"This is what it's all about," Chuck Keating said.

The family was by Michael's side when Francis kissed and blessed the boy on a tarmac at Philadelphia International Airport on the first day of his trip to the city Sept. 26.

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

Relatives decided to start the fund-raiser when people around the country asked what they could do to help Michael's mother and father, who are both teachers.

Along with the donations came messages of support from people inspired by the family's story and messages of solidarity from families that have children with special needs.

"There are just so many good people out there in the world," Chuck Keating said.

mbond@philly.com

610-313-8207 @MichaelleBond