Story of Impact: Artem

17-year-old Artem Kenzer and his father, also named Artem, have always been close. When he was born with severe Down Syndrome in a remote factory town in Georgia, his parents did what few people there would have done when confronted with a mentally challenged newborn. They kissed him and blessed him and took him home to their one-room apartment and they called themselves a family.

Then, one cold winter night in February many years later, as Artem's mother was preparing dinner, gasoline in the kitchen spilled onto a hot plate. In seconds, the entire apartment was engulfed by flames. "She survived the fire, but without money, the doctors at the burn center wouldn't operate. There was nothing I could do so I brought her home. She died a few months later right here in our bed."

Since then it’s been hard for Artem Sr. to hold down a job. His son needs his constant care and attention. "We spend our days reading and wrestling and laughing. We do a lot of laughing." They also do a lot walking to the tiny Jewish Community Center in their remote northern town. There, they've found financial assistance, food and the warm, loving embrace of the worldwide Jewish community.

A month of respite services for a family with a disabled child: $365