Dad Instantly Loves Baby with Down Syndrome But Sadly, Boy's Mom Didn't Feel the Same
October 19, 2022
When doctors told Evgeny Anisimov he had a baby with Down syndrome, his wife wanted to give the child up. But instead, this brave dad sacrificed everything so he could raise his beautiful son alone. And he's committed to encouraging others with his inspiring story!
When Evgeny Anisimov of Russia and his wife welcomed their first child together, they celebrated for only 1 minute and 39 seconds. The doctor's words took things in a very different direction:
“I fear that your baby has Down syndrome.”
RELATED: Toddler with Down Syndrome Rejected by 20 Families Finds Forever Home with Single Dad
The diagnosis shocked Evgeny and he even shed some tears, realizing there would be obstacles to overcome in raising a baby with Down syndrome. But this changed nothing about the love and commitment he felt towards his child.
"At no time did I think of leaving my son in an orphanage," he said. "That would be inhumane.”
Sadly, his wife and her family didn't feel the same way.
Mother Rejects Baby With Down Syndrome
After the doctors explained that little Mishka had an extra copy of chromosome 21, resulting in Down syndrome, his mother no longer wanted him. Her parents recommended the couple turn the baby boy over to an orphanage.
"Let the state take care of him," Evgeny recalls his father-in-law saying. "And you will still give birth to a healthy one, and your life will be joyful, not in sorrow."
Thankfully, Evgeny Anisimov saw his baby with Down syndrome just as God intended -- as a blessing. He refused to give his son up, even if that meant raising him alone.
His wife's reaction came as a shock. They'd had a good marriage up until Mishka's birth and usually shared the same values. But the two didn't agree on what to do with Mishka and wound up going their separate ways.
Even so, Evgeny forgave his wife for the decision she made.
"Now I understand that she was just scared at the time," he says. "She started to act according to the wrong scenario."
Living Out God's Plan
Evgeny gave up everything he knew from his life before in order to be a good father to Mishka.
RELATED: Mother of Twins Didn’t Know One of Her Daughters Had Down Syndrome Until 24 Hours After Birth
"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 said. "He needed love and warmth."
Though it meant sacrificing a life he once cherished, Evgeny was committed to giving his baby with Down syndrome all the love he deserves.
View this post on Instagram
“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!’," Evgeny explains.
Now, Evgeny Anisimov lives as a single father raising his "sunny" child. He dedicates his time to helping his son develop physically and mentally. And even though it cost him his wife, Evgeny is happy with his choice to stand by his son.
This brave dad is also sharing the story of his baby with Down syndrome as a way of inspiring and encouraging others.
Evgeny Anisimov works hard to raise awareness about Down syndrome. He seeks to inspire acceptance and inclusivity for those with special needs. And he wants his story to encourage others who are facing similar difficulties.
"I also want to support, inspire with my example those people who are or will be in the same situation as me," the single dad says. "Have no fear! Everything will be fine!"
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: True Story Of Father’s Fight To Save Newborn Triplets Mom Wants To Give Up
Following God's plan for us rarely comes without sacrifice. But what we give up always pales in comparison to what we gain.
"Let it not seem to you that one of these little ones is of no value; for I say to you that in heaven their angels see at all times the face of my Father in heaven." Matthew 18:10
LISTEN: True Story Of Abducted 4-Year-Old And The Dad Who Refused To Stop Looking For Her
h/t: Bored Panda
Featured Image: Instagram/evgen_tyz
Mel is the senior writer for GodUpdates, finding, writing and sharing Christian, uplifting, and health-related stories from around the world. Mel has a passion for writing and graduated with a degree in English from Randolph-Macon College in Virginia. When she’s not researching and writing stories, Mel is very active in her church. You can usually find Mel playing board games with her husband and two young girls, giving someone a hug, or hunting down a good cup of coffee!
Today's Devotional
A Prayer of Celebration for Jesus’ Birth - Your Daily Prayer - December 25
Jesus’ birth is a time for great celebration. Although born hidden away in an obscure stable, His appearing brought the most spectacular baby announcement on Earth, with angels breaking forth from Heaven to bring the Good News of His birth.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer of Celebration for Jesus’ Birth - Your Daily Prayer - December 25
Jesus’ birth is a time for great celebration. Although born hidden away in an obscure stable, His appearing brought the most spectacular baby announcement on Earth, with angels breaking forth from Heaven to bring the Good News of His birth.
Past Stories
- Husband Decorates His Neighbors' Homes For Wife Who Loves Christmas
- Couple Befriend Older Neighbor After Hearing Music Coming From His Apartment
- California Man Carpools With Adult Children On His Very Last Day of Work Before Retirement
- Family of Three Grows To Seven Overnight With Birth of Quadruplets
- The World's Oldest Dog Spike the Chihuahua Turns 25 Years Old
- Christmas Tree Planted Back in 1979 Inspires and Unites a Small English Village
- Dick Van Dyke Turns 99 After Evacuating From a Wildfire and Welcoming His Lost Cat Back Home
- Santa and Mrs.Claus Continue to Spread Christmas Magic Even With Santa's MS Diagnosis
- Little Girl Gets a Big Elf On the Shelf Surprise Honoring the Little Brother Who Passed Away
- Little Boy From England With Leukemia Delivers Over 400 Christmas Gifts To Kids At the Hospital
- Gold Star Family Receives a Big Surprise That Will Change Their Lives Forever
- 8-Year-Old With Down Syndrome Is a Hero After Saving Sister From House Fire
- Man Paralyzed At 17 While Snowboarding Has Found True Love and a Wonderful Life
- His Wife Passed Away, Now Their Special Tree is the 2024 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
- Granddaughter Captures Last Words Between Grandparents, Married For 69 Years
- New York State Police Rescue Woman Needing a Heart Transplant Stranded in Snowstorm
- Born the Same Year the Titanic Sank, World's Oldest Man Dies at 112
- Family Receives Support From School and Community After Losing House in a Fire
- Soldier Reunites With His Military Dog Yyacob After Years Apart
- Chicago Man Discovers That The Owner Of The Bakery He Loved To Visit Was Actually His Mother
- Husband Pays For 40 Pet Adoptions At Shelter For His Wife's 40th Birthday
- Parents Find Healing After Loss of Son By Donating His Beloved Key Collection To Little Boy
- Mom Dances With Son At His Wedding After Being Placed in Hospice Care 2 Weeks Before
- Grandmother and Young Granddaughter Battling Cancer At the Exact Same Time
- Community Brings Christmas Joy to Virginia Woman With Just Weeks to Live
- Four Friends Recreate A Fun Vacation Photo From 50 Years Ago
- School in Arkansas Mourns the Loss of Their Beloved Emotional Support Dog Abby
- 93-Year-Old Has Made Sure To Attend Every High School Football Game Since 1946
- Texas Mom Doesn't Remember Delivering Triplets After Rare Complication After Birth
- United Airlines Pilot Buys Pizza For 155 Passengers After They Make An Unexpected Stop
- Teenager With Down Syndrome Enjoys Playing Kickball After Parents Organize Neighborhood Game
- Woman in Shock After Finding Winning Lottery Ticket At the Bottom of Her Purse
- Australian Couple Walks Into Their Bedroom To Find the Cutest Koala
- 5 Boys and Their Father Were Saved By Good Samaritan After Explosion
- Daughter of WWII Soldier Finally Learns What Happened To Him, 80 Years Later
- Sisters Scream With Joy Watching Their 4-Year-Old Sister Take Her First Steps
- Her Mom Put a Message in a Bottle As a Child, 26 Years Later Her Classmate Found It
- This Missouri School Was Renamed After Their Much Loved and Dedicated Custodian
- Michael Strahan's Daughter is Now Cancer Free and Has Taught Him All About Perseverance
- These Two Newlyweds Found Love in Their Late 90s, After Meeting At Their Retirement Home
- Sisters Who Were Adopted By Separate Families Nearly 40 Years Ago Reunite After DNA Tests
- Oldest Living Person in the US Passes Away at 115, After a Long and Faithful Life
- At Just 20 and 22 Years Old, These Two Sisters From Minnesota Saved Their Family Farm
- After Over 450 Days in a Shelter, Boone and Rellie Find Their Forever Home, Together
- Sweet Kitten Named Coraline Loses Both Her Eyes, but Inspires Many with Her Spirit
- Donny Osmond Sees the 'End of the Tunnel' Coming After Performing for Over 6 Decades
- An Iguana Hitches a Ride on a Garbage Truck in Tennessee, Now Trying to Find Its Owner
- 6-Year-Old Starts 'Poop Scooping' Business to Help Animals and Adopt One of His Own
- Bride's Dad Drops During Father-Daughter Dance, but Things Lined up Perfectly to Save His Life
- Young North Carolina Father Risked His Life To Save a Couple and Dog From a Sinking Truck
Top Music Videos
The Statler Brothers 'Til the Storm Passes By' The Statler Brothers Live Performance
Mark Schultz 'Different Kind of Christmas' - Live From Mark Schultz
Riley Clemmons Riley Clemmons - All Is Well
Riley Clemmons Riley Clemmons - Come Adore Him
Brad Stine Has Issues Brad Stine’s Hysterical Take on Adam Naming the Animals is Pure Gold
Blogs
At GodTube, you’ll find daily inspirational videos to lift your spirits and encourage you in your walk with God. Popular videos include worship music from your favorite Christian artists, cute videos with adorable kids and animals, hilarious videos from Christian comedians, user-uploaded videos, and clean viral videos to brighten your day.