Single Gay Guy Earns A “Super Dad” Title After Adopting 4 Disabled Children
Meet Benjamin Carpenter – a kind-hearted 33-year-old man, living in Shepley, West Yorkshire, who is widely known around the UK as a truly inspiring human being. The reason behind it is four adorable but, sadly, disabled children who this single gay dad adopted to help them grow in a better world.
Benjamin admits that from a very young age he already had a desire to be a parent. “Growing up within a religious family I always had a caring disposition instilled in me, adoption was always at the forefront of my mind as having biological children was never a priority for me,” Carpenter told Unilad. “Often children with an additional need can be overlooked, in in a lot of cases be classed as “hard to place” however I totally accept that not everyone can care for a child/children with an additional need and quite rightly you have to be true to yourself when on the adoption journey about the type of children you feel best suits you and your family set up!”
Benjamin’s journey began 10 years ago when he first adopted his oldest child, Jack. The boy is now 10-years-old, he has autism and OCD which means that the whole family should adapt daily to Jack’s needs. 6-year-old Ruby has mobility issues and physical disabilities. 5-year-old Lilly is Ruby’s biological half-sister who is deaf and severely impaired, too. The whole family has learned British Sign Language (BSL) in order to communicate effectively with her. The youngest member of this family is 2-year-old Joseph who has Down’s syndrome and many complex needs associated with it.
It took 3 years for Benjamin to convince authorities that he is really serious about adoption, and to become one of the youngest gay men in the country to adopt a child. This super-dad says that all this comes with struggles and he still hears a lot of different opinions about being a single gay dad, but he couldn’t be happier with his choice. “I often get passing comments like ‘it’s not right’ and ‘because you are gay then all of the children will be gay then won’t they’ other comments I get are he must be doing it for money?” says Ben. “To me, they are just comments I can handle it. I do find myself correcting silly naive comments. In all honesty 70% of the time, they do see sense once it’s explained to them.”
However, Benjamin admits that the world and its views are changing and is open to the idea of adopting a fifth child. “For me, all my children bring me the absolute joy! I wake up in the morning and think what would my life be like without children? I know it would be empty that’s for sure!”
Meet Benjamin Carpenter – a 33-year-old man who is widely known around the UK for his kind heart
The reason behind it is four adorable but, sadly, disabled children who this single gay dad adopted to help them grow in a better world
“Growing up within a religious family I always had a caring disposition instilled in me, adoption was always at the forefront of my mind as having biological children was never a priority for me”
Benjamin’s journey began 10 years ago when he first adopted his oldest child, Jack
The boy is now 10-years-old, he has autism and OCD which means that the whole family should adapt daily to Jack’s needs
6-year-old Ruby has mobility issues and physical disabilities
5-year-old Lilly is Ruby’s biological half-sister who is deaf and severely impaired, too. The whole family has learned British Sign Language in order to communicate with her
The youngest member of this family is 2-year-old Joseph who has Down’s syndrome and many complex needs associated with it
It took 3 years for Ben to convince authorities that he is really serious about adoption, and to become one of the youngest gay men in the country to adopt a child
This super-dad says that all this comes with struggles and he still hears a lot of different opinions of being a single gay dad, but he couldn’t be happier with his choice
Benjamin even was announced as an Adopter Champion of the Year in 2015.
“For me, all my children bring me the absolute joy! I wake up in the morning and think what would my life be like without children? I know it would be empty that’s for sure!”
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Share on FacebookWhy must the article keep repeating that he is a "gay dad"? Does it really matter that he is gay? Also "sadly, disabled children" seriously? How about you write an article about a single guy who adopted 4 kids.
Because typically there is prejudice against being gay and being single. He overcame both factors to win the hearts of the community.
Load More Replies...I myself have been diagnosed with mild cerebal palsy, ADHD, and mild Autism. Going to therapy (ABA and physical), I see people who have it SO much worse than me, physically and emotionally. Some carry huge emotional burdens from abandonment and abuse. However, they make the most of everyday. It's inspiring. I aspire to live like them, happy and doing what they can. It makes me so happy. To see this man adopt 4 kids who might be living with these burdens honestly made me tear up a little bit. Now these kids can live a happy life!
Chapeau and more. Hero. And what a joy is there in these photo's. If I lived there, I would start crowdfunding for you to give you and your children everything this world can offer. Chapeau.
WOW! The world claims heroes from all basketball, football, baseball figures, etc. You sir are a real hero! I applaud you and wish you and your family many Blessings.
Thanks Ben for loving these children. You make the world a better place! Big hugs and loves for you and the kids.
What does he do for a living that he can afford to raise 4 special needs kids on his own?
I don't know much about UK's social system but I think it might be similar to Germany's system. If you have a disabled child here in Germany you get financial support from both state-run health and care insurance. For example you don't have to pay for the needed medical treatment. Depending on how much you earn you have to pay a certain amount of money each month for the health care insurance and everyone can get every treatment or medication for almost free. Also you get a general child benefit for your kids which is about 200 ,- per month and child. So financially it's not more difficult to raise a "normal" child or a child with special needs.
Load More Replies..."Sadly" disabled? I doubt he would say this about his children. This needs to stop being the general attitude about kids with disabilities.
I agree, it feels like we're supposed to pity them....
Load More Replies...This is adorable! I love posts like these! Just bc some one have mental or physical disabilities doesn’t mean they are bad or slow, it just means that they are different from us is different types of ways. I have 4 mental illnesses and might have bipolar, but I still try my best and so does everyone else. That’s what counts and is the most important, trying your best, working hard, and being kind to others, even if they are different. Bless this man and his family!
scrolled down into the comments expecting to see a bunch of hate but everything is so positive oml. This made my day <3
You are my hero, Ben!!! Many many blessings to you and your beautiful family!!
Hi, it's so important that he is a gay? That's pointed out in the header! Respect to this men!!! Hope there would be more humans like him. Many greetings from Istanbul...
With all respect (I get that your from another country and may have trouble with english) I just want you to know that "gay" is an adjective, not a noun. "He is gay", not "He is a gay" is correct.
Load More Replies...This is an amazing story. I would like to know more. What kind of state support does Mr. Carpenter get. Does anyone else in the community help him? Does his family support him in any way?
Absolutely Amazing! I am In foster myself, Most people don't want do adopt kids who have disabilities or extreme health problems. Especially Teens who have them. I have a extremely auto immune disease and I was so lucky to find parents who took me even though I had health problems AND I was a teenager. Your kids will look up to you so much as they grow up and will be so grateful. The world needs more people like you!
I already posted a comment earlier about this, but I wanted to mention that this world really has a way to f****n mess things up for being he hero to our world while they are sitting on their lazy asses, being on the internet and posting c**p that doesn't change this world for the better or to better themselves!!
They make it seem like a big deal “GAY GUY ADOPTS DISABLED CHILDREN” I think they’re running out of ideas.
Kudos to the authorities who allowed the adoptions to happen. It may have taken time to convince them, but they were convinced. I also agree with birdhouse, no need to keep repeating the labels gay and disabled.
Why does his sexual preference need to be included? That kind of s**t ain't nobody's business.
well, he has clearly made it public if it was easily found...
Load More Replies...That's where you have your personal moral bar set, but all morals are just lines in the sand. Name me another species that goes to the lengths humans do to raise/protect the un-fittest. You could absolutely also argue that it's watering down the species if they reproduce and a waste of resources. Both sides of that coin are valid opinions, so cool your jets. Here's another opinion: this guy is doing something that hurts nobody, helps some who needed help, and all you can do is get cranky that this guy is receiving praise. That makes you a f*****g a*****e. I can't imagine what it would take for you to find joy in something, including yourself. Nobody with any self respect shits on someone else simply for receiving praise.
Load More Replies...and?? Wouldn't that mean that mean that 60 to 75% of child molestation is by not gay people? What is the point your trying to make? From you statistic they are safer with a gay father than a straight one. So how about you just sit back and keep your nonsensical and unfounded hatred to yourself.
Load More Replies...Why must the article keep repeating that he is a "gay dad"? Does it really matter that he is gay? Also "sadly, disabled children" seriously? How about you write an article about a single guy who adopted 4 kids.
Because typically there is prejudice against being gay and being single. He overcame both factors to win the hearts of the community.
Load More Replies...I myself have been diagnosed with mild cerebal palsy, ADHD, and mild Autism. Going to therapy (ABA and physical), I see people who have it SO much worse than me, physically and emotionally. Some carry huge emotional burdens from abandonment and abuse. However, they make the most of everyday. It's inspiring. I aspire to live like them, happy and doing what they can. It makes me so happy. To see this man adopt 4 kids who might be living with these burdens honestly made me tear up a little bit. Now these kids can live a happy life!
Chapeau and more. Hero. And what a joy is there in these photo's. If I lived there, I would start crowdfunding for you to give you and your children everything this world can offer. Chapeau.
WOW! The world claims heroes from all basketball, football, baseball figures, etc. You sir are a real hero! I applaud you and wish you and your family many Blessings.
Thanks Ben for loving these children. You make the world a better place! Big hugs and loves for you and the kids.
What does he do for a living that he can afford to raise 4 special needs kids on his own?
I don't know much about UK's social system but I think it might be similar to Germany's system. If you have a disabled child here in Germany you get financial support from both state-run health and care insurance. For example you don't have to pay for the needed medical treatment. Depending on how much you earn you have to pay a certain amount of money each month for the health care insurance and everyone can get every treatment or medication for almost free. Also you get a general child benefit for your kids which is about 200 ,- per month and child. So financially it's not more difficult to raise a "normal" child or a child with special needs.
Load More Replies..."Sadly" disabled? I doubt he would say this about his children. This needs to stop being the general attitude about kids with disabilities.
I agree, it feels like we're supposed to pity them....
Load More Replies...This is adorable! I love posts like these! Just bc some one have mental or physical disabilities doesn’t mean they are bad or slow, it just means that they are different from us is different types of ways. I have 4 mental illnesses and might have bipolar, but I still try my best and so does everyone else. That’s what counts and is the most important, trying your best, working hard, and being kind to others, even if they are different. Bless this man and his family!
scrolled down into the comments expecting to see a bunch of hate but everything is so positive oml. This made my day <3
You are my hero, Ben!!! Many many blessings to you and your beautiful family!!
Hi, it's so important that he is a gay? That's pointed out in the header! Respect to this men!!! Hope there would be more humans like him. Many greetings from Istanbul...
With all respect (I get that your from another country and may have trouble with english) I just want you to know that "gay" is an adjective, not a noun. "He is gay", not "He is a gay" is correct.
Load More Replies...This is an amazing story. I would like to know more. What kind of state support does Mr. Carpenter get. Does anyone else in the community help him? Does his family support him in any way?
Absolutely Amazing! I am In foster myself, Most people don't want do adopt kids who have disabilities or extreme health problems. Especially Teens who have them. I have a extremely auto immune disease and I was so lucky to find parents who took me even though I had health problems AND I was a teenager. Your kids will look up to you so much as they grow up and will be so grateful. The world needs more people like you!
I already posted a comment earlier about this, but I wanted to mention that this world really has a way to f****n mess things up for being he hero to our world while they are sitting on their lazy asses, being on the internet and posting c**p that doesn't change this world for the better or to better themselves!!
They make it seem like a big deal “GAY GUY ADOPTS DISABLED CHILDREN” I think they’re running out of ideas.
Kudos to the authorities who allowed the adoptions to happen. It may have taken time to convince them, but they were convinced. I also agree with birdhouse, no need to keep repeating the labels gay and disabled.
Why does his sexual preference need to be included? That kind of s**t ain't nobody's business.
well, he has clearly made it public if it was easily found...
Load More Replies...That's where you have your personal moral bar set, but all morals are just lines in the sand. Name me another species that goes to the lengths humans do to raise/protect the un-fittest. You could absolutely also argue that it's watering down the species if they reproduce and a waste of resources. Both sides of that coin are valid opinions, so cool your jets. Here's another opinion: this guy is doing something that hurts nobody, helps some who needed help, and all you can do is get cranky that this guy is receiving praise. That makes you a f*****g a*****e. I can't imagine what it would take for you to find joy in something, including yourself. Nobody with any self respect shits on someone else simply for receiving praise.
Load More Replies...and?? Wouldn't that mean that mean that 60 to 75% of child molestation is by not gay people? What is the point your trying to make? From you statistic they are safer with a gay father than a straight one. So how about you just sit back and keep your nonsensical and unfounded hatred to yourself.
Load More Replies...
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