A baby boy was born in a Ukrainian hospital, but his life would not begin in the comfort of his home or by his parents’ side. Unfortunately, his parents decided to leave him at the hospital after realizing he didn’t resemble any other child. They didn’t want anything to do with a baby who had health problems soon after birth, so they gave up on him. Baby Dima was eventually taken in by an orphanage for disabled children in Kramatorsk, Eastern Ukraine, after spending some time with the doctors and nurses who cared for him.

Dima had hydrocephalus, a condition characterized by an abnormal buildup of fluid in the ventricles (cavities) deep within the brain. This condition is chronic and can be managed, but there is no cure at the moment. Fortunately, with proper early treatment, many people with hydrocephalus can live normal lives with few restrictions. Dima, on the other hand, made little progress over time. He was still unable to walk or eat on his own at the age of four, which concerned the orphanage staff.

Given the severity of his condition, those who cared for him believed that simply being alive was an accomplishment in and of itself, and they didn’t expect much improvement in Dima’s physical and mental capacities. Things became even more hopeless when Ukraine became a no-go zone following a conflict with Russia in 2014. Specifically, Russia began annexing Crimea, leaving many people fearful for their lives.

Because they lacked food, water, and other necessities, the orphanage staff believed that children like Dima would perish as a result of the war. Dima, on the other hand, made it out alive As luck would have it, an American couple, Ernest and Ruth Chaves, who had previously adopted seven children, heard about Dima and wanted to give him a home in Vermont. Dima made incredible progress in just a year after moving in with his new parents.

He learned to walk with a walker and began eating on his own. He is eager to learn new things and pushes himself every day. His name is now Zebadiah, and thanks to his loving adoptive parents, he has learned what it is like to be loved and cared for. Dima now speaks English and Ukrainian fluently. We are overjoyed that this sweet boy has been given the opportunity to restart his life.