Dad Steps Up to Raise Son with Down Syndrome All By Himself, After Mom Wants To Place Her Baby In Foster Care
He Chose Fatherhood, He Chose Love: This Dad's Strength is Unbreakable: A Unique Journey of Love and Growth
Misha's Story: A Father's Love Defies Stigma about Down Syndrome
Misha, a little boy with Down syndrome, brings joy and purpose to his father Evgeny's life. Sadly, their journey began with heartbreak. Evgeny's wife left after Misha's diagnosis, but for Evgeny, giving up was never an option.
Instead, he embraced fatherhood with unwavering love and dedication. He learned about Down syndrome, refusing to let stereotypes define his son's potential. He saw Misha's special qualities, not limitations.
Raising Misha alone is a challenge, but Evgeny doesn't see it as heroic. He emphasizes, "I'm just a regular guy." His goal is to normalize fatherhood to a child with Down syndrome, dispelling the myth that it's a burden.
He said, “When I found out my son had Down Syndrome, I cried when I left the hospital, but not for long. Later, I felt a bit embarrassed about those tears. Nothing really changed in my life.
“I still had both arms, both legs, and I still had all my knowledge and skills. I was still determined, curious, and active. Everything went according to plan; my son was born. But he’s special, and his life and future are really important. And here I am, crying! That’s selfish, isn’t it? It’s not fair. No, it’s my responsibility. I didn’t get an amniocentesis — I knew the chances were low, but still. I wanted a child, so I have to take responsibility for him. There are many possibilities: autism, cerebral palsy, genetic mutations… And Down Syndrome isn’t the worst, as I later found out.”
He said, “When I found out my son had Down Syndrome, I cried when I left the hospital, but not for long. Later, I felt a bit embarrassed about those tears. Nothing really changed in my life.“I still had both arms, both legs, and I still had all my knowledge and skills. I was still determined, curious, and active. Everything went according to plan; my son was born. But he’s special, and his life and future are really important. And here I am, crying! That’s selfish, isn’t it? It’s not fair. No, it’s my responsibility. I didn’t get an amniocentesis — I knew the chances were low, but still. I wanted a child, so I have to take responsibility for him. There are many possibilities: autism, cerebral palsy, genetic mutations… And Down Syndrome isn’t the worst, as I later found out.”Evgeny actively fights stigma. He shares his story, hoping to inspire others facing similar situations. He wants parents to know: "Having a child with Down syndrome is okay, not a problem."
That very same night, Evgeny started learning about Down syndrome.
“I found out that in Europe, people with Down Syndrome are well taken care of. They can live and work on their own,” he said. “But that didn’t change my decision.”
For Evgeny, leaving his son was never an option. But sadly, his wife didn’t feel the same way.
“I never even thought about putting my son in an orphanage. That would be really cruel,” he said. Eventually, he and his wife separated, and now Evgeny raises Misha by himself.
“When a child is born, they wonder if they’re wanted in this world. And I tell my son, ‘Yes, you are wanted!’ Taking care of him, even on my own, is something any normal person would do. I want to make it clear—I’m just a regular guy, not some kind of hero.”
His message is clear: love conquers all. Misha thrives in Evgeny's care, proving that every child deserves a chance to flourish, regardless of labels. Their story is a testament to the power of love, resilience, and the extraordinary bond between a father and his son.
Evgeny is doing a great job supporting his child. It's heartwarming to see such dedication. Share this article if you agree that putting children first is important!
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