For every seven hundred to eight hundred children in the world, there is one child with Down Syndrome, a condition caused by an extra copy of one of the chromosomes, chromosome 21, which affects a baby’s body and brain development.

Children with Down Syndrome are called “sunny” because there is so much sunshine in their personalities; they are very kind and affectionate. And the part of society who were lucky to be born with the right number of chromosomes could actually learn a lot from these people.

Unfortunately, many newborns with Down Syndrome are still left behind because parents are scared of the abnormal and the unknown, but growing up in a happy and healthy family, children with Down Syndrome have every chance to live a normal life.

The more people are educated about the condition, the less prejudice and negativity they will have towards Down Syndrome. This Russian single father is on a mission to contribute to this change as much as he can and show the world how unique and wonderful people with Down Syndrome are. 33-year-old Evgeny Anisimov raises his son Misha, who has Down Syndrome, completely on his own after his wife decided to leave the family, unable to deal with her son’s diagnosis. The young father wanted to share his story with the world to inspire parents who face the same challenges to never give up.

More info: Instagram

The happy moment after the birth of a son for this Russian family lasted 1 minute and 39 seconds until the doctor said, “I fear that your baby has Down Syndrome”

Image credits: evgen_tyz

“I didn’t know what to do when I learned of the hypothesis that my son had Down Syndrome. 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 told Bored Panda.

Image credits: evgen_tyz

“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. 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.”

33-year-old father Evgeny Anisimov started researching about Down Syndrome that same night

Image credits: evgen_tyz

Image credits: evgen_tyz

Image credits: evgen_tyz

“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.”

At no time did the new father think of leaving his son behind, but his wife wasn’t ready for this responsibility

Image credits: evgen_tyz

“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.”

Image credits: evgen_tyz

Image credits: evgen_tyz

He and his wife soon separated and Evgeny started his new life as a single father to a “sunny” child

Image credits: evgen_tyz

“My wife and I had always had a good and trusting relationship. There were different periods, difficulties, lack of money, separation. I am a kind type, I’m used to giving in to everything, adjusting. Friends even ironically called me ‘dominated.’ But in this case, I was even ready for a conflict, I tried to convince her that we could overcome this situation. And the conflict separated us. Now I understand that she was just scared at the time, she started to act according to the wrong scenario, and by then, the rubicon was already crossed and it was too late to retreat from the scenario.”

Image credits: evgen_tyz

Despite all the challenges this special fatherhood brings to Evgeny, he never gave up and gives his all to raise Misha to the best of his abilities

Image credits: evgen_tyz

“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.”

Image credits: evgen_tyz

“This has changed my life. I had a good job in Moscow and this was a big turning point in my career, but I couldn’t leave my son. He needed love and warmth. I am an ordinary worker now, but I have a normal salary in my city. I lost my wife, but I am happy with the changes. My son is a very good and open kid like every other kid of his age, he loves me and it shows.”

Image credits: evgen_tyz

Image credits: evgen_tyz

“I think routine is the most difficult thing for me. Every minute, I must do ordinary tasks—cooking food for my son, cleaning, giving him baths, and walking with him… Every task might seem simple, but doing it every day is very difficult. My mother helps me and I can have time for myself, which is very important. I would advise all husbands to help their wives because although parenting is very interesting, it’s also a very hard thing.”

Evgeny arranges various activities to help his son’s physical and mental development

Image credits: evgen_tyz

“Misha has been attending swimming lessons every week since he was 5 months old. It’s expensive, but a lot of people help us. We’ve also started speech therapy. I understand that the future might bring more issues, but I hope that we will be able to overcome everything.”

Image credits: evgen_tyz

Image credits: evgen_tyz

Image credits: evgen_tyz

Image credits: evgen_tyz

Image credits: evgen_tyz

Image credits: evgen_tyz

The dad wants to raise awareness about Down Syndrome across the world and support families who face the same difficulties

Image credits: evgen_tyz

“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!”

Image credits: evgen_tyz

Image credits: evgen_tyz

Image credits: evgen_tyz

Image credits: evgen_tyz

Image credits: evgen_tyz

Image credits: evgen_tyz

Image credits: evgen_tyz

Image credits: evgen_tyz

Image credits: evgen_tyz

Image credits: evgen_tyz

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