Dima, the child thrown by the mother like garbage! His parents didn’t even want to see him at birth because he looked too weird, they abandoned him at the first opportunity. But a few years later, something miraculous happened:
This is Dima Kalekin from Ukraine.
He doesn’t remember his biological parents.
At birth, Dima was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, or “water on the brain.” And when his parents saw him for the first time, they made a heartless choice.
They left the hospital without him and never looked back.
Dima also got a new name, Zebadiah Chaves.
Life with his new family was by far the best thing that ever happened to the little boy. He made progress as soon as he arrived in Vermont. Just a few days after he got to his new home, his parents discovered that he was able to eat with a spoon!
Celebrating Zebadiah’s birthday he played in his cake
Posted by Ernest Chaves on Friday, September 9, 2016
A year later, the boy who left Ukraine on the edge of death was like a whole new person.
Now, Zebediah can talk. He can understand both Ukrainian and English. And he can walk.
Zebadiah arrived home today at about 4pm. He did so well they (the hospital staff) were amazed at how fast he bounced back after the surgery. Other than the cast he is back to normal
Posted by Ernest Chaves on Sunday, September 27, 2020
Talk about progress!
American doctors have examined Zebediah’s brain and are convinced that it hadn’t suffered much damage from the disease. They say that chances are good that he’ll develop normally.
What an inspiring fighter!
Zebediah has a long way to go and will undergo several operations, but he’s already shown the whole world his invincible strength and willingness to live!
A look at him today, in 2022, sure gives us reasons to smile! What a handsome little boy he has grown up to be! It’s so hard to believe that’s the same boy Ernest and Ruth adopted!