Dima Kalekin’s story is one of resilience and triumph. Born with hydrocephalus, his biological parents abandoned him at birth. He spent his early years in a disability orphanage, where staff doubted his development. Despite this, Dima fought to survive, learning to speak and showing a strong will to live.
In 2014, conflict forced the orphanage to evacuate, and Dima endured a week of hardship before reaching safety. Doctors feared he wouldn’t survive, but a local priest’s prayer led to his adoption by Ernest and Ruth Chaves, who had seven children. Renamed Zebadiah, his life changed dramatically. Within days, he learned to eat with a spoon and, over the next year, began walking, speaking, and thriving.
Doctors were amazed at his resilience, and although he would need future surgeries, Zebadiah’s spirit proved unbreakable. Today, he is a happy, thriving boy, a living testament to the power of love and second chances.
