Amelia Mishchenko

Meet Amelia Mishchenko and her family, this year participants of our USA Resettlement Program 🇺🇸🇺🇦

Amelia is 4, and luckily, she was diagnosed with SMA type 1 early enough. Thanks to early diagnosis, she was able to receive commercial Zolgensma in Boston at the age of 1 to secure the best outcomes. However, due to the difficult course of the disease, Amelia was also prescribed post-Zolgensma therapy with Risdiplam by the US doctors.

Back in Italy🇮🇹 as Ukrainian refugees, the family was facing challenges with getting Risdiplam dosage, due to the law changes that now prohibited tandem therapy. To ensure their daughter continues receiving this crucial treatment, which costs approximately $10,000 per dose, Amelia’s parents returned to the United States as the U4U parolees. They have already received recommendations from their Boston doctor and reached out to the Seattle Children’s Hospital.

As the participants of our USA Resettlement Program for U4U parolees with rare diseases, the Mishchenko family received a $12,000 grant from Birds for Sofia to help cover their rent and living expenses in the first 3 months of stay. Given limited financial resources, they opted for in an empty apartment near Seattle, and so we decided to involve our partners in furnishing it.

Thus, our amazing friends Four Hands managed to make an impressive and totally free delivery including a sofa, bookshelves, mirrors, chairs, stools, cabinets, and more, valued at approximately $22,000. Additionally, the family received an in-kind donation from Malouf Home, including bed frames, mattresses, blankets, sheets, and pillows valued at nearly $3,000. Thank you, dear partners, you’re always on time!

 We are also thankful to each and everyone of you, who supported the family here on Instagram, shared Amelia’s resettlement story and helped purchase the essential home items from her mom’s wishlist. You’re the best! 

Meanwhile, Amelia started attending preschool and continues her physical therapy sessions. The family has aldeady received new orthopedic equipment and is currently awaiting for the arrival of a wheelchair and stander for Amelia.

The adaptational period in a new country is a vulnerable time for refugee families with an RD kid until they find their way to settle on a new place and arrange regular medical care support. We thank everyone who supports our USA Resettlement Program and makes miracles happen for Ukrainian kids with rare diseases 🇺🇸🇺🇦