Single Gay Man Adopts 6 Children: 'I Just Wanted to Be a Dad'

A man always wanted to be a father and adopted his first child when he was only 21. Over the years, he welcomed more into his home and dealt with a tragic loss in 2019.

Ben Carpenter has accomplished many things, but becoming a dad is what he is most proud of. The single gay man from Huddersfield, England, always dreamed of having a big family.

Carpenter worked in the care sector and had a heart for the vulnerable. When he started on the adoption journey, he was immediately drawn to kids with disabilities.

HELPING THE MOST VULNERABLE

Carpenter shared his story in 2021 and explained why he adored being a dad. He expressed: "I wanted to help kids that were the most vulnerable and the ones that were most in need of a loving and caring home."

His first child, Jack, had autism, and Carpenter did everything possible to assist him. He also adopted then 11-year-old Ruby, a sweet girl with complex needs.

HIS GROWING FAMILY

Over the years, his family has grown immensely, and it includes Lilly, then nine, who is profoundly deaf, and Joseph, then six, who has Down syndrome. While reading a magazine, Carpenter came across a child in need.

The young boy named Teddy had a rare condition called Cornelia de Lange syndrome, and he needed a family that could care for him. He reached out and was thrilled when Teddy became his son.

HE FELT GUILTY

Sadly, Teddy's time in the Carpenter household was cut short. The youngster passed away in 2019, and the family was heartbroken.

The father stated: "I was devastated, and I felt guilty for a while because I kept wondering if there was something I could have done to fix it."

ADOPTING AGAIN

Carpenter took time to grieve and deal with the tragedy before he considered adopting again. A year passed before the father opened his heart and home to another bundle of joy.

He welcomed another son in 2020, and the youngster is blind and has cerebral palsy. Carpenter adores Louis and is open to adopting again in the future.

HE ALWAYS WANTED TO BE A PARENT

The proud dad always knew that he wanted to be a parent. He shared: "I never wanted to become a biological dad because being a parent is so much more than that."

The Carpenter home is a safe space for this group of children, and the dad shared that the siblings get along well. He is happy they are in a stable environment where they can be loved and thrive.

ANOTHER SINGLE MAN ADOPTS

Parents considering adoption may overlook children with special needs. However, a single gay man from Nepal, Italy, welcomed a little girl with Down Syndrome into his life. Forty-one-year-old Luca Trapanese was delighted to adopt baby Alba.

Twenty families rejected Alba, but she was perfect for Trapanese, who opened his heart and home to her in 2017. He fell in love with her instantly, and the pair are inseparable.

Trapanese and Carpenter are insprational. Both fathers give their all to their beloved children and should be proud of themselves.