Natalya’s youngest son Zhenya will soon be six. He is a child with a difference. He has Down’s syndrome, a genetic condition caused by the presence of an extra chromosome in the body’s cells. When a child is born with it, all the doctors say is: ‘Bad luck!’
But Natalya knows that her family, which lives in the village of Beryozovka near Omsk, is lucky: Zhenya is a bright young boy – affectionate, kind and gentle. He is a whole world in one small boy. He sings and dances all over the house, giving no one any peace and dragging them into his games. Zhenya draws colourful pictures full of light and gives them to his family.
Zhenya is interested in everything, from the sun suddenly hiding behind a cloud to a tiny caterpillar crawling inside a shoe. He goes to pre-school nursery, where he has friends and kind, wise teachers. His mother was doubtful about letting him go, but her fears were unfounded. He loves it there and so do all the other children who meet him: Zhenya’s condition means he doesn’t lie or cheat, and is very sensitive and sympathetic to other people’s pain.
