Serge François, 56, of the Anjou region of western France, had suffered since 1992 from a severe herniated L4-L5 disc that left him with chronic intractable sciatica and progressive paralysis of his left foot — the latter unresponsive to two spinal operations. He could walk only with difficulty using a special orthotic boot and was on permanent disability.
He came to Lourdes on the diocesan pilgrimage of Angers in April 2002. On April 12, praying at the Grotto, he suddenly felt 'a wave of heat in my leg.' He stood, walked normally, removed the orthotic boot — and the foot moved freely for the first time in a decade. The Lourdes Medical Bureau and the International Medical Committee followed him for six years; the Bishop of Angers recognised the cure on April 12, 2008 — the sixth anniversary of the cure — as the 67th cure on the published list at that time.