\nDespite the age of understanding and reason that we\u2019re supposed to live in now, many babies with Down syndrome are still born into uncertainty because of ongoing prejudice surrounding the condition.\n
Every day, thousands of babies are born around the world with conditions that make them stand out in some way. Of course, all babies are beautiful, and none are any less deserving of love, care, and attention.\n
Sadly, not all people accept this fact. Some parents, incredibly, even look to give up or disown their children if they\u2019re not deemed perfect in their judgemental eyes when they\u2019re born.\n
\nDespite the age of understanding and reason that we\u2019re supposed to live in now, many babies with Down syndrome are still born into uncertainty because of ongoing prejudice surrounding the condition.\n
One Russian father is looking to rid any and all stigma surrounding Down syndrome, while simultaneously independently raising his son, Misha, who suffers from the condition.\n
As per reports, 33-year-old Evgeny Anisimov is on a mission to show the world that children with Down syndrome are every bit as worthy of love and acceptance. He\u2019s raising Misha single-handedly after his wife decided to leave because she couldn\u2019t deal with her son\u2019s diagnosis.\n
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Evgeny and his wife were dealt the news just 1 minute and 39 seconds after their son was born when a doctor told them, \u201cI fear that your baby has Down Syndrome\u201d\n
Speaking to Bored Panda, the dad said: \u201cI didn\u2019t 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.\n
\u201cThe results of the analysis we were promised in a few days, and until then, I decided not to say anything to her.\u201d\n
He continued: \u201cI 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.\n
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\u201cI was still with two arms, with two legs, my professional knowledge had gone nowhere. My determination, activity, curiosity, and so on\u2014everything 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\u2019m roaring here! This is some kind of selfishness! Is it not fair? No, it is my responsibility. You did not have an amniocentesis\u2014it 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 \u2026 And Down Syndrome is not the worst, as I learned later.\u201d\n
That very same night, Evgeny began his research on Down syndrome.\n
\u201cI learned that in Europe, people with Down Syndrome are well-socialized, can live and work independently,\u201d he said. \u201cBut the decision I had already made was not influenced by that.\u201d\n
For the new father, leaving his son simply wasn\u2019t an option. Sadly, though, his wife didn\u2019t feel the same.\n
\u201cAt no time did I think of leaving my son in an orphanage, that would be inhumane,\u201d he said. He and his wife eventually separated, and now Evengy raises Misha alone.\n
He explained: \u201cWhen a child is born, he asks the outside world: \u2018Am I needed here or not?\u2019 And I answer with certainty: \u2018Son, you are needed!\u2019 Being with him, even alone, is a normal act for a normal man. I emphasize\u2014I am a normal man, not some kind of hero.\u201d\n
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