2023 MitoScholars Empowering youth living with mitochondrial disease to focus on their futures

Alessia Commisso | Mississauga, Ontario | Social Work (1st year) Humber College – Toronto, Ontario    

Alessia Commisso is a young woman who lives with Leigh syndrome and complex 1 deficiency, a rare inherited neurometabolic disorder that affects the central nervous system and complex 1, caused by an enzyme defect of oxidative phosphorylation that causes low muscle tone and pain and extreme fatigue.

Despite the obstacles mitochondrial disease has presented, Alessia is determined that it will not let it stop her from living the life she envisions. This includes going to college to pursue a Social Service Worker diploma and a move towards independent living.

Alessia believes all things are possible with the passion to work hard to achieve a dream. Her dream is to attend college, live independently and be a role model for others, and the MitoScholars scholarship is helping her fulfil that dream. Alessia shares,

“Thank you for choosing me as a scholarship recipient. I am excited to begin my college journey and thank you deeply for making it a reality. With the scholarship, I can pay for my transportation to school, my required support workers, books, and other academic requirements, none of which would be possible without your generosity.”