Friends, I want you to meet my cousin Aleks. He is kind, resourceful, generous, and passionate about technology. He lives in Ryazan, Russia where we grew up and spent our childhoods together before I moved to the US.

Aleks has cerebral palsy, and despite the everyday challenges with mobility and self-care, he remains incredibly positive. More than anything, he always finds ingenious ways to do things independently. But 2021 really pushed Aleks to his limits and right now, he needs help from his friends.

This year, our family faced multiple tragedies. During the summer Aleks lost both his grandmothers and was hit by a car while out for a stroll on his electric wheelchair. In October Aleks’s household contracted COVID, and while he survived the battle, his mother - his main caretaker and friend, and my dear aunt, passed away. It was Aleks’s mom who took on many daily responsibilities and shouldered the weight of Aleks's various needs. With her loss, we must find other ways to ensure his independence.

That's where you can help. I'm arranging this campaign to assist Aleks in a few crucial ways so he can get back to “normal.”

We have three stretch goals designed to build out the resources and support network Aleks needs to take on everyday life with a smile.

At $1,000

1) Upgrade to existing electronic equipment (computer/peripherals) to increase efficiencies for earning money on various tech projects

At $4,000

2) Purchase and installation of a bath lift

At $6,000

3) Hiring of an in-home caregiver

There are limited resources available for mobility-impaired folks in Russia. Every single contribution, no matter how small, will get us closer to our goal of helping Aleks.

Thank you!