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This Single Dad Adopted A Baby Girl With Down Syndrome Who Was Rejected By 20 Families
There’s nothing more heartwarming than reading stories about abandoned children who finally get to go home to loving parents. Just last month, Bored Panda wrote about a gay couple who adopted an HIV-positive baby. Now it’s time for you to meet Luca Trapanese – a man from Italy who is challenging the stereotypes of fatherhood, religion, and family in his home country. Back in 2017, the 41-year-old adopted his daughter Alba, when she was not even a month old. Luca’s story has gone viral for several reasons – one of which is that Luca is gay and single and the social services in Italy don’t usually grant custody to single, homosexual men. Luca later told the media that he was told he would only be able to adopt a child with health or behavioral problems. But that didn’t scare him away.
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Back in 2017, Luca adopted baby girl Alba
Image credits: trapaluca
Luca Trapanese – a 41-year-old single man from Italy – adopted Alba when she was merely 13 days old. The little girl has Down’s Syndrome and was given up for adoption by her mother because of it. It wasn’t easy to find a new family for baby Alba – 20 families rejected the newborn because of her condition. But fortunately, Luca turned up and Alba’s life changed forever.
Ever since Luca was 14, he had been working and volunteering for organizations focused on children with special needs. He also always wanted to become a father, however, this posed certain struggles, as he was (and still is) single. Fortunately, in 2017 he was finally given permission to adopt under one condition.
The girl has down syndrome
Image credits: trapaluca
Due to which she was previously rejected by 20 families
Image credits: trapaluca
But Alba’s condition did not scare Luca away as he was determined to become a father
Image credits: trapaluca
Luca himself had worked in care centers for people with special needs
Image credits: trapaluca
Luca was told that he could only adopt a baby with special needs who had been previously rejected by traditional families. Luca was in 7th heaven – he knew he was finally bound to become a father, just like he always dreamed. “Since I was 14 years old, I have volunteered and worked with the disabled so I felt I had the right knowledge and experience to do it,” Luca told the media.
In July 2017, he got the call he was waiting for so long – it was the tribunal that informed him of a baby girl. Luca listened to her story and without any hesitation instantly said yes and rushed to the hospital to meet his daughter. “When I first held her in my arms, I was overcome with joy. I felt she was my daughter straight away,” Luca revealed.
So he wasn’t afraid of the challenges he could face while raising Alba
Image credits: trapaluca
He knew he had the right knowledge and experience to adopt the baby
Image credits: trapaluca
Since he was 14, Luca had been working and volunteering for organizations focused on children with special needs
Image credits: trapaluca
“When I first held her in my arms, I was overcome with joy. I felt she was my daughter straight away”
Image credits: trapaluca
“It was the first time I held a newborn baby. Before that moment, I had always been scared. But, when I first held Alba, I knew I was ready to be her dad,” said the young father.
Today, the man’s life revolves around Alba. He says that his daughter “revolutionized his life and everything revolves around her. She brought me happiness and a sense of fulfillment. I am proud to be her dad. I wanted her to be my daughter.”
“I am proud to be her dad”
Image credits: trapaluca
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What do you think ?
Bobert Robertson 6 years ago
Forget typical ideologies about masculinity. This is what really being a man is. Or woman. Or just human. This dude is awesome, and look how happy she is!
Nikki Gregerson 6 years ago
You can see the love! She is a very lucky little girl and I'm glad her daddy found her!
Full Name 6 years ago
Yup. I guarantee that so many parents when finding out their child has something "wrong" with them think ".....f**k!". This guy went for it voluntarily. You know he'll be the perfect dad for her. What a great story.
Load More Replies...
Anne 6 years ago
There can be many challenges to raising a child with Down Syndrome. That said.. I think I'm happy they all did. Now Alba has the dad she deserves :)
Load More Replies...
Demi Zwaan 6 years ago
So a gay single man is not good enough to raise a healthy child, but if they have a reject, he’s good? That is awful on so many levels. Glad it worked out for them, but the underlying reasons are horrific.
mcborge1 6 years ago
Hat's off to this man. Raising a duaghter as a man on your own is hard, raising a duaghter (or son) with special needs is even harder. Trust me i know. I became a widdower at 26 when my Autistic daughter waas only 3. My familly kept telling me to put her in care. I didn't even consider that idea and raised her without thier support. She's now 26 herself and still living with me. I have my own health problems now but I refuse to let those stop me being the dad she still needs. Love means more then dissability or being judged by others. This guy isn't a mere hero, he's just a human living to a standard we should all live by. I wish them both all the best for the future.
Free Independent 6 years ago
Though you don't consider yourself a hero, I believe you are one also! ("My familly kept telling me to put her in care. I didn't even consider that idea and raised her without their support")
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deanna woods 6 years ago
This little girl seems like she is so sweet and she is so adorable. I don't see how anyone can reject a child over something that is not within their control. Children with Down's Syndrome are just as lovable as children that don't have it. Taking care of a child with a disability requires may require more work sometimes, but you will get to receive the same amount of love. All children deserve love no matter what.
Helen Haley 6 years ago
They might not think they have the skills or money to adopt a child with a disability. This man clearly has the background and skills to do right by the child. I doubt the majority rejected her simply because they deemed her unloveable.
Load More Replies...
Misha Writer 6 years ago
Downs kids are a challenge, but they are a joy too, as any child. Kudos to this guy, and people like him, who take on special needs children. They're people, like everyone else, they just want to love and be loved.
Mónica Elisabeth Sacco 6 years ago
Parenting has to do with love, not sexual orientation. Bravo, Luca!
Full Name 6 years ago (edited)
Not necessarily. I've seen studies showing that gay couple actually have slightly more successful children overall. TBH, I suspect most adoptive families do since clearly the children were wanted and that would be reflected in the childcare.
Load More Replies... Bobert Robertson 6 years ago
Forget typical ideologies about masculinity. This is what really being a man is. Or woman. Or just human. This dude is awesome, and look how happy she is!
Nikki Gregerson 6 years ago
You can see the love! She is a very lucky little girl and I'm glad her daddy found her!
Full Name 6 years ago
Yup. I guarantee that so many parents when finding out their child has something "wrong" with them think ".....f**k!". This guy went for it voluntarily. You know he'll be the perfect dad for her. What a great story.
Load More Replies... Anne 6 years ago
There can be many challenges to raising a child with Down Syndrome. That said.. I think I'm happy they all did. Now Alba has the dad she deserves :)
Load More Replies... Demi Zwaan 6 years ago
So a gay single man is not good enough to raise a healthy child, but if they have a reject, he’s good? That is awful on so many levels. Glad it worked out for them, but the underlying reasons are horrific.
mcborge1 6 years ago
Hat's off to this man. Raising a duaghter as a man on your own is hard, raising a duaghter (or son) with special needs is even harder. Trust me i know. I became a widdower at 26 when my Autistic daughter waas only 3. My familly kept telling me to put her in care. I didn't even consider that idea and raised her without thier support. She's now 26 herself and still living with me. I have my own health problems now but I refuse to let those stop me being the dad she still needs. Love means more then dissability or being judged by others. This guy isn't a mere hero, he's just a human living to a standard we should all live by. I wish them both all the best for the future.
Free Independent 6 years ago
Though you don't consider yourself a hero, I believe you are one also! ("My familly kept telling me to put her in care. I didn't even consider that idea and raised her without their support")
Load More Replies... deanna woods 6 years ago
This little girl seems like she is so sweet and she is so adorable. I don't see how anyone can reject a child over something that is not within their control. Children with Down's Syndrome are just as lovable as children that don't have it. Taking care of a child with a disability requires may require more work sometimes, but you will get to receive the same amount of love. All children deserve love no matter what.
Helen Haley 6 years ago
They might not think they have the skills or money to adopt a child with a disability. This man clearly has the background and skills to do right by the child. I doubt the majority rejected her simply because they deemed her unloveable.
Load More Replies... Misha Writer 6 years ago
Downs kids are a challenge, but they are a joy too, as any child. Kudos to this guy, and people like him, who take on special needs children. They're people, like everyone else, they just want to love and be loved.
Mónica Elisabeth Sacco 6 years ago
Parenting has to do with love, not sexual orientation. Bravo, Luca!
Full Name 6 years ago (edited)
Not necessarily. I've seen studies showing that gay couple actually have slightly more successful children overall. TBH, I suspect most adoptive families do since clearly the children were wanted and that would be reflected in the childcare.
Load More Replies...
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