They met while she was on a student fellowship to the Soviet Union. They married. and Aleksei resigned from his position with a computer company. He feared his classified job would jeopardize any chance he had to get a visa. For 4 years his fears proved to be correct. When I met with Mr. Gorbachev last September I spoke to him about Sandy and Aleksei. I dont know how much of an impact that talk had. But the good news is that Aleksei Lodisev received an exit visa. Yes. Yelena Bonner was allowed to receive medical treatment in the West.