Two-Year-Old Sofia Arrives in Miami for Life Changing Orthopedic Surgery
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Two-year-old Sofia Vasenina arrived in the United States on Saturday with her mother, Kira. Little Sofia has pseudarthrosis, a bone fracture that has no chance of mending without intervention.
In Russia, Sofia was diagnosed with the cause of this bone pathology: neurofibromatosis. It is a genetic disorder that causes tumors to form on nerve tissue that damages the bones and internal organs. Doctors in Russia warned that this disease is rare and complicated to treat.
Dror Paley, MD, FRCSC, is the founder (2009) and director of the Paley Institute in West Palm Beach, Florida. He trained under the guidance of Professor Ilizarov of Russia (Ilizarov method) and Professor Debastiani of Italy (Orthofix method). In 1986, he introduced the Ilizarov method to the United States and Canada. Since that time, he has performed more than 17,000 limb lengthening and reconstruction-related procedures. Patients come to his Institute from all 50 states and from more than 80 countries over six continents (North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia).
Dr. Paley has agreed to treat Sofia in the United States at the Paley Orthopedic & Spine Institute at St. Mary’s Medical Center.
RACF volunteer Andre T. met mother and daughter at Miami International Airport, helped them through customs and passport control, organized accommodations, and helped them make a smooth transition to their stay in America. RACF volunteer Julia M. continued the hospitality. She met the family in the Miami area on Sunday and brought them to Quantum House in West Palm Beach, a two hour drive.
Exhausted after the long flight. mother and daughter settled in comfortably at Quantum House, a caring and supportive home that lessens the burdens for families whose children are receiving treatment in Palm Beach County for a serious medical condition. Providing basic needs such as shelter and food – with exceptional compassion to families in their time of need has become the trademark of the organization. Quantum House is the only House of its kind between Ft. Lauderdale and Orlando.
Grateful and excited to be in America, Sofia's mother feels very anxious about her daughter's upcoming surgery. She will be very happy once it is all over. Sofia's first appointments at St. Mary's Medical Center are this week.