No matter how people judge, Down syndrome is a part of society. People with Down syndrome are as human as anyone else. They simply have an extra chromosome, which can affect brain and body development.
Children with Down syndrome are often called “sunny” because they carry so much joy. Have you ever been with someone with Down syndrome? They’re happy, full of life, and have pure intentions. Honestly, there’s so much we can learn from them.
But, not everyone feels that way.
A Russian dad decided to raise his baby with Down syndrome after the mom chose to leave the family. Evgeny Anisimov, a 33-year-old father, knew he wanted to care for his son, Misha, even though he was “different.” So, when his wife walked away, Evgeny decided to take on the journey alone.
He had dreamed of fatherhood, but after the doctor said, “I fear your baby has Down syndrome,” it became bittersweet.
“I didn’t know what to do,” Evgeny admitted. “When I first heard my son might have Down syndrome, I felt I had to turn off my emotions. I thought I should support my wife because I believed it would be harder for her. I kept quiet until we got the final results.”
“When I found out my son did have Down syndrome, I left the hospital and cried—but only for a little while. Then, I felt embarrassed by those tears. My life hadn’t really changed. I still had my two arms, my two legs, and my job. My determination, energy, and curiosity were all still with me. I had planned to have a child, and now I had a special one. And here I was crying!”
Evgeny realized he was responsible for his son. “There are all kinds of conditions—autism, cerebral palsy, genetic issues… but Down syndrome is not the worst. I learned that later.”
That night, he started searching for information about Down syndrome. “I knew nothing about my son’s condition. I remembered only a scary picture from a Soviet biology textbook. So, I went online. I found stories of people with Down syndrome living and working independently in Europe. But none of this changed my decision.”
Evgeny’s wife wasn’t ready to handle the responsibility, but he stayed.
“I wasn’t even sure about the future,” he admitted. “I thought, maybe he’ll enjoy simple things. I’ll take him to see the sunrise or barbecue with him. He’ll live his own life. Some may think that’s sad, but it’s his life, and he deserves to live it.”
Evgeny and his wife soon separated, leaving him alone with his “sunny” child. “My wife and I had a strong bond,” he shared. “But this time, fear got in the way, and we couldn’t go back.”
Being both mom and dad has been a blessing, he says.
“When a child is born, they ask the world, ‘Am I needed here?’ And I tell my son, ‘Yes, you are!’ Caring for him is simply what a father does.”
Evgeny had a successful job in Moscow, but he gave it up for Misha. “I couldn’t leave my son. He needed love. Now, I work a normal job and have a steady income. I may have lost my wife, but I gained happiness with my son. Misha’s just like other kids; he loves me, and it shows.”
Routine has been the hardest part. “Every day, I cook for him, clean, give him baths, and take him out for walks. My mom helps, giving me a bit of a break. I’d advise every husband to help their wives because parenting is beautiful, but it’s also tough.”
He also creates activities to help his son grow. “Misha’s been swimming weekly since he was five months old. We’ve started speech therapy, too. There may be challenges ahead, but we’ll face them.”
Now, Evgeny wants to raise awareness about Down syndrome.
“I hope people see our story and get inspired. I want to support those going through similar situations. If they’re scared, I hope they find courage through our story. Everything will be okay.”
