People with Down Syndrome are usually called ‘sunshine’ as they have bright personalities.
They are affectionate, kind, and have so much love to give.
However, many parents leave their babies with Down Syndrome as they are scared of the things they do not know.
One mother who gave birth to a baby with Down syndrome wanted to give her child away to foster care. But the boy’s father, 33-year-old Evgeny Anisimov, rejected the idea and said that he would raise his son on his own.
And he amazingly did.
Speaking to Bored Panda, the single father recalled the moment he discovered that his son had Down Syndrome.
“I didn’t know what to do when I learned of the hypothesis that my son had Down Syndrome,” he said.
“I thought my task now was to turn off emotions, ignite thoughts, support my wife because I believed it would be more difficult for her. The results of the analysis we were promised in a few days, and until then, I decided not to say anything to her,” Evgeny continued.
“I remember that upon learning that my son has Down Syndrome, I left the hospital and cried, but not for long.
“Later, I was a little embarrassed by these tears. In my life, after all, nothing had changed, in general. I was still with two arms, with two legs, my professional knowledge had gone nowhere.”
“My determination, activity, curiosity, and so on—everything was with me.
Everything happened as I planned, my son was born,” the father said.“But the child is special, his life and future destiny are already very significant.
And I’m roaring here! This is some kind of selfishness! Is it not fair? No, it is my responsibility. You did not have an amniocentesis—it is clear that the probability was low, but still.“You wanted a child, so you took responsibility for it. After all, there are many options: autism, cerebral palsy, genetic mutations… And Down Syndrome is not the worst, as I learned later.”
“I started looking for information about the syndrome that same night when I returned home. I knew nothing about my son’s diagnosis. I only remembered a terrible photo from a Soviet biology textbook.
“I went online and researched. I learned about Evelina Bledans and her Semyon, who was born in the same maternity ward as Mishka. I learned that in Europe, people with Down Syndrome are well-socialized, can live and work independently. But the decision I had already made was not influenced by that.
“When I made the decision, I had not yet thought about the likelihood of an optimistic scenario. I thought: well, he’s going to enjoy the sunrise, I’m going to take him out to barbecue, he’s going to live his life.
“Yes, maybe he seems unhappy to someone, but he will have his own life. At no time did I think of leaving my son in an orphanage, that would be inhumane.”
He further said: “I want all the articles about Mishka and me that are being published now to convey that idea to society and instill it. And I also want to support, inspire with my example those people who are or will be in the same situation as me. I try to communicate with those who are within reach, I correspond with those who are far away. I hope that those who have difficulties now, as it was for us, read about us.
“Have no fear! Everything will be fine!”
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