Vasiliy

At just 7 years old, Florida native Vasiliy can already speak three languages— Mandarin Chinese, Russian, and English. He was born in St. Petersburg, Florida to a Taiwanese mother, with whom he exclusively speaks Mandarin, and a father from Russia who taught him Russian. He speaks English at school and when not with family. Having relatives all over the world has also meant that the young polyglot is not only linguistically gifted, but well-traveled.

At home, Vasiliy be can be found practicing "Jesus Loves Me" in English and Chinese, often hosting concerts for his parents using the piano, guitar, violin, bells, or the drums as accompaniment.

When not singing and dancing, he develops his soccer skills "anywhere he can," his mother says. Florida's balmy climate allows for swimming year-round, whether in lakes, the ocean, rivers, or "even the bathtub," Chih-Yi adds.
"Vasiliy has no problem jumping into the water by himself and then holding his breath swimming to the nearest adult. He can keep doing this 10, 20, or even more times." Most recently he's been getting into Kung Fu, copying moves from movies. As is probably obvious, this 7 year-old has many of the same interests and skills as any other fun-loving child.

Chih-Yi confirms this: "Vasiliy is more a sibling of his older brother than a kid with Down Syndrome. What I mean is that the more years he is with us, the less we find he is to be defined and confined by this diagnosis. He is one precious son born into our family. He looks like his brother. He enjoys the toys his big brother played with. He even misbehaves at school the same way his big brother used to. He loves us just like every child would to his or her parents, if not more."

She continues: "Every child is a gift. Children with Down syndrome will definitely make you laugh. They will also make you cry. At times, they will drive you crazy. But most assuredly, they will love you unreservedly. Embrace them, just like you would to any other child, you will not regret it."