The Heart Of Forgiveness

Thoughtful Thursday - A Teenager Who Lost Both Legs Forgives Step Mum For A Deliberate Arson Attack Which Killed Her Dad.

Josefina who was severely burned beyond recognition by her step mum who deliberately set fire that killed her dad said she has forgiven her. She thankfully and in tears appreciate the firemen that saved her life and that of her sisters.
 
Josefina Vilela lost both of her legs below the knee and part of her left arm after the fire at her home in Walsall, West Midlands in 2011.The blaze – which left Josefina with 60 per cent burns and killed her father Carlos – was started by her stepmother, Georgina Vilela, who has since been jailed for murder.




Josefina, who was just 14 years old when the fire took place, spent 18 months in hospital and has since learned to walk again using two prosthetic legs. But despite the horrific events which tore the teenager’s life apart, she told this week how she has now forgiven her father’s killer.


 
Josefina told how of her forgiveness on the day she was reunited with the fire crew who saved her from the burning building. The inspirational teenager wept as she was given a bouquet of flowers by firefighters at Walsall Fire Station earlier this week during a visit organized. She said: ‘I’ve been wanting to meet these men ever since the night of the fire to tell them how amazing they are. They saved my life. They are my heroes.’

 
Stepmother Georgina is currently serving a minimum 23-year jail term for murder and arson with intent to endanger life. She poured petrol over Carlos as he lay in bed and the resulting fire quickly engulfed the house where then-14-year-old Josefina and her three sisters were asleep.


Culled From Dailymail