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Justin Kelly & Lizzie McAllister & Dublin LIve Ascot

Woman who claims to be Madeleine McCann explains why she shared her story

The young Polish woman who think she could be missing British girl Madeleine McCann has shared her goal by going public in her search for answers on her identity.

Julia Wendell, 21, went viral last month when she emerged on social media claiming to be Maddie who went missing on a family holiday in Portugal in 2007. She pointed to similarities like an eye defect and other body markings but thus far, her claims have been unproven pending DNA test results.

Julia has now also revealed her ultimate goal is to help people who have "experienced trauma" like her. She claims she looks similar to e-fits of the missing girl, who would now be 19, and has a colombola – a rare eye condition that makes the pupil appear misshapen – in her right eye, much like Madeleine.

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