The luck of a young girl turned around when she was turned down by her mother and later by 20 families looking to adopt her.
Luca Trapanese’s journey to adopting baby Alba has become widely known for various reasons, with one of the main ones being that social services rarely give custody to a single, gay man.
However, an exception was made in Luca’s situation… and we are extremely glad that it happened.
Luca, a 41-year-old Italian, recently wrote a book about his experience as the father of Alba, a girl with Down syndrome, as reported by the BBC.
In a radio interview, Trapanese highlighted the uniqueness of his case as it challenges preconceived notions about fatherhood, religion, and family.
In Italy, adoptions for same-sex and unmarried parents have historically been a complex process.
He informed the BBC that he was informed that he would only receive a child with an illness, a severe disability, or behavioral issues. He mentioned that he was completely fine with that.
Luca welcomed Alba into his home in 2017 when she was just 13 days old. She had already been turned away by 20 families because of her condition.
He expressed, “She fills me with joy and contentment. I am honored to be her father.”
Luca had experience working in care centers for people with special needs and dreamed of becoming a father. His desire to help others began at the age of 14, when he lost his best friend to cancer.
He offered his services to Catholic church-affiliated organizations, frequently assisting individuals who were seriously ill or disabled.
He chose to move forward with adopting Alba, even though he didn’t have a partner, and now she is happy living with her father.
Alba, as reported by the BBC, is a determined child who can sometimes be stubborn. She finds joy in playing, dancing, and being around others.
He mentioned that it was his first time holding a newborn baby. He used to be scared before, but when he held Alba for the first time, he felt ready to be her dad. He felt immense joy and knew she was his daughter instantly.
Luca and Alba’s beautiful relationship went viral a few years ago. But fans can still keep up with their daily lives on Luca’s Instagram, where he has over 320,000 followers.
The couple enjoys spending time together and fills their days with plenty of enjoyable activities.
The pandemic has impacted their lives, but it’s heartwarming to witness their strong bond. They enjoy outdoor activities, traveling in Italy, painting, socializing, and cherishing each other’s presence.
We’re sending our warmest wishes to Luca and Alba! Luca is truly a kind-hearted person, and because of him, this little girl has a promising future.