Kostya and Alex

Please consider donating to Kostya and Alex as they begin their lives in the United States.

From Alex:

Two months ago, my brother and I arrived from the Kherson region of Ukraine. We are programmers and at the moment participating in a small IT project. Right now, we are unable to work officially in the United States, as we need to resolve some issues with our documents. When we were crossing the border, something went wrong, and now we find ourselves in a very difficult situation. The only way to resolve it is to hire a lawyer. We have no social assistance, and no medical coverage. These are two things that we are in desperate need of.

At the age of three, I was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). To help you better understand my condition imagine Stephen Hawkins. The only difference is- I can speak on my own. I am also somewhat able to control the movement of one of my fingers, which allows me to use a touchpad. In fact, this is what I am doing right now- typing this letter, slowly, but surely.

Since he was 18 years old, my younger brother Konstantin (Kostya) has been taking care of me. What this means is constant help 24 /7, on average every 10-20 minutes, day and night.

Upon leaving Ukraine, we made the decision to go to the United States of America in hopes of creating a new life for both of us.

I was hoping to start treatment for my disease because here in the United States the best medicine in the world. In fact, a drug called “Evrisdi” has already been developed and is being successfully used in SMA patients, and I believe it can improve my condition.

My brother has been taking care of me for 20 years straight, and I dreamt of becoming independent, so he could go ahead with his own life: have a family, and children, and find his own happiness. He deserves it like no one else.

I look at my life as a way to demonstrate by example that a person in my physical condition can live a full life: travel, engage in the extreme, and be a rock star. This is what I want to show to the whole world. Some may say that I want too much, but in my opinion, this is what is called living life to the fullest. I am a strong, brave, and resolute person, and am sure that I will succeed. But right now, my brother and I really need your financial support.

Thank you very much in advance,

Alex Zalohin