In October of 1997 I brought from Russia
to Chicago a 15 year old boy named Alexei and his mother Irina. They are
from the far northern Artic city of Murmansk. Alexei needed a special operation to
correct his left leg and hip in order for him to be able to stand up
straight. The Shriner's hospitals for children offered to give Alexei the
operation free of charge. He only needed a host family in Chicago for visa
reasons. I and my mother became that host family during his first stay in
Chicago. A gentleman by the name of Donald West
heard of what I was doing
to help Alexei and offered aid. He helped by providing transportation for
Alexei and Irina to and from the hospital. Two years later, Mr. West
offered his own home
to become the host family for Alexei's second visit to Chicago for more
treatment. A third visit is also planned.
Maps and pictures of Murmansk.
