Dima’s story is one of resilience, love, and the power of hope. When his parents discovered he had hydrocephalus, they made the heartbreaking decision to abandon him at a hospital in Ukraine. Just like that, a child was left all alone.
Luckily, fate had different plans for Dima. He was taken in by a caring orphanage in Kramatorsk, Eastern Ukraine, where dedicated professionals looked after him. At four years old, Dima faced immense challenges. He couldn’t walk or eat on his own, and his growth seemed stalled.
Despite the odds stacked against him, Dima proved everyone wrong. Each day he defied expectations was a true miracle. The staff at the orphanage marveled at his resilience and fought to give him a chance at life.
In 2014, conflict forced the orphanage to flee for safety in a less dangerous region. The lack of food, water, and medicine made survival uncertain for the children, including Dima. At one point, he was even pronounced dead, and a priest was called upon to pray for his departed soul.
But Dima’s strength was unparalleled. Against all odds, he survived. And that’s when the Chaves family entered his life. Ernest and Ruth Chaves, a loving couple from Vermont, had already opened their hearts and home to seven adopted children.
When they met Dima, it was love at first sight. They completed the necessary paperwork and welcomed him into their family. From that moment on, Dima became part of a loving home, surrounded by parents who adored him.
Under the relentless love and care of the Chaves, Dima blossomed. He learned to feed himself and even took his first steps with a walker. It’s amazing how quickly he mastered these skills, thanks to their unwavering support.
But Dima’s journey doesn’t stop there. Not only is he fluent in both English and Ukrainian, but he also continues to challenge himself, eager to improve his mental and motor skills.
Dima’s story serves as a reminder that love and determination can transform lives. From being abandoned like garbage to finding a forever family, he is proof that miracles can happen. Dima, or as his family affectionately calls him, Zebadiah, is a beacon of hope and inspiration to us all.
