Featured Fathers

Ivan, age 2, bangs on the cupboard doors and looks up at his father. Five-month-old Maria waves her arms and legs and grunts as Daddy walks into the room. Mark, scooping up his young son, checks dinner in the oven, and tells about being a new father of a Down’s Syndrome child.

“The first year was scary. Ivan was born with Down’s Syndrome and was in the hospital most of the first year of his life. That was the hardest. Then he had heart surgery. He’s really taken off since then. Learning all of the nutrition and feeding things is new. We have a monthly Down’s Syndrome support group. That is helpful.”

Alla, Mark’s Russian wife, murmurs to both children in her native language. “She also goes to group parenting that is very good – for her to practice English and to learn how to teach Ivan things. She brings home good information for us.”

Mark, owner of a small grocery/gas station, works long hours. Their modest home is attached to the back of the station. “I am blessed to have the store – Although it seems I never get focused time with the kids, I don’t miss the new things they do. I can be here, not like other fathers who have to be gone all day away to work. Ivan and I have our mornings together while the girls sleep. Fix breakfast, open the store together. My favorite time is after bath, wrestling around. I get the easy job of playing with them.”

Ivan, teases his parents in sign language, and begs to get in Mark’s lap to look at books and do a Russian fingerplay. “My greatest joy is making them laugh, playing, being there when they do something new. It was a big thing when he started walking. It amazes me that Ivan understands both languages - English and Russian - and sign language we are all learning. We learned that Mozart is good for kids. Every day Ivan sits on his sheepskin to listen to Mozart.” Alla, a concert musician, nods in agreement.

Maria, high in the air above her father’s head, smiles widely and squeals. “My biggest hope is to be able to provide a good environment so they can make good choices when they get older. Not like the choices I made. My parents divorced when I was 13, after that I was pretty rebellious.”

Chimes signal a customer arriving in the store. “Mark’s a great dad,” says the business owner next door.