Dear friends, acquaintances and strangers,

My name is Alisa and I am asking for your help in financing my life-changing eye surgery in Spain on December 17th 2024.

I was born with a condition called ptosis in a severe form, making me unable to open the left eye, while my right eye is blind.

This resulted in me opening the only eye I could see with by fixing my eyelid with a plaster band, which led to frequent eye infection, redness etc.

I had a surgery in Russia when I was five years old. It called "frontalis sling" surgery. The surgeon placed silicone bands in my left eyelid and connected them to the eyebrow muscle (frontalis). The result can be seen today – I can only open my eye halfway, and it doesn’t fully close while I sleep, which gradually contributes to the worsening of vision in my only good eye.

The reason why it never could not be fully corrected ensuring symmetry is because by pulling the eyelid higher I would not be able to close my eye even more while sleeping which would lead to greater vision worsening over time and this is the only eye with vision - the risks are too high.

Nevertheless, I aways knew that somewhere in the world there are the right doctor for me with advanced surgery methods. Hearing a final NO in Moscow at the age of 18 did not mean anything to me - I knew I am going to find a solution abroad.

Since then I visited best eye clinics in four other counties - Germany, Austria, Israel, USA. The answer was the same everywhere - YOU HAVE TO LIVE WITH IT.

But I am not someone who gives up easily - every couple of years I return to this topic, do research about medical advancements, talk to doctors. This time it payed off.

I came across Dr. Ramon Medel who is considered to be the leading specialist in this field worldwide. His own developed unique surgical method, the “front-flap method”, has shown tremendous success. He has helped patients from all over the world with incredible results. Dr. Medel practices in Spain, Malaga. Unfortunately, there is currently no method with comparable results in other European countries or in the US.

In short, his “front-flap method” replaces the weakened eyelid lifting muscle with a muscle in the eyebrow. In comparison to the “sling method” (what I have now), where the eyelid is attached to the eyebrow with a thread, Dr. Medel not only achieves a perfect aesthetic result, but there are also no risks of vision loss.

I recently had a consultation with Dr. Medel with a highly positive outcome and scheduled the surgery for December 17th in Spain.

Insurance will not cover this surgery. This will be 100% out of pocket. I will be responsible for all surgery costs, travel expenses, and any accommodations.

As I am currently in the transitional and a bit challenging period of my life - recent move to the US and a complete change of career involving going back to college, I would be highly grateful if you help me making my dream come true by co-financing my surgery and related costs.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

With love and gratitude,

Alisa