One Russian father is looking to rid any stigma surrounding D0wn syndrome, while simultaneously independently raising his son, Mischa, who suffers from the condition.
Evgeny Anisimov, 33, is said to be on a mission to show the world that children with D0wn syndrome deserve the same love and acceptance. He raises Misha alone after his wife decides to leave because she couldn’t deal with her son’s diagnosis.
Evgeny and his wife learned the news just 1 minute and 39 seconds after their son’s birth, when a doctor told them, “I fear that your baby has D0wn Syndrome.”
Speaking to Bored Panda, the dad said: “I didn’t know what to do when I learned of the hypothesis that my son had D0wn syndrome. I thought my task now was to turn off emotions, ignite thoughts, and support my wife because I believed it would be more difficult for her.
“We were promised the results of the analysis in a few days, and until then I decided not to tell him anything.”
He continued: “I remember that upon learning that my son has D0wn 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. 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 D0wn Syndrome is not the worst, as I learned later.”
That same night, Evgeny began his research into D0wn syndrome.
“I learned that in Europe people with D0wn syndrome are well socialized, can live and work independently,” he said. “But the decision I had already made was not influenced by that.”
For the new father, leaving his son simply wasn’t an option. Sadly, though, his wife didn’t feel the same.
“At no time did I think of leaving my son in an orphanage, that would be inhumane,” he said. He and his wife eventually separated, and now Evengy is raising Misha alone.
He explained: “When a child is born, he asks the outside world: ‘Am I needed here or not?’ And I answer with certainty: ‘Son, you are needed!’ Being with him, even alone, is a normal act for a normal man. I emphasize—I am a normal man, not some kind of hero.”
Evgeny wants to raise awareness about D0wn syndrome so that no future parent thinks that having a child with this condition is a punishment or hurdle that can’t be overcome.
He told Bored Panda: “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!”
I don’t know about you, but I think people like Evegny should be praised to the high heavens. What an inspiring figure he is, and how lucky Misha is to have been blessed with him for a son.
