A single dad from Huddersfield is looking forward to another special Father’s Day as he welcomes his fifth adopted child into his home.
35-year-old Ben Carpenter has been dubbed ‘super dad’ by friends and family. He initially wanted to adopt just one child when he was 21, but has since opened his home to five children, all of whom live with a range of health conditions.
The father-of-five has just finalised the adoption of his fifth son, Noah, who has a genetic condition known as Cornelia de Lange syndrome, and Ben won’t rule out helping more kids in need of a home in the future.
One-year-old Noah joins his brothers and sisters – 11-year-old Jack, eight-year-old Ruby, six-year-old Lily, and three-year-old Joseph, who have a range of needs, from Autism to Pierre Robin syndrome.
Ben, who used to work as a social carer, said:
Even at the age of 21 I knew I wanted to be a father as soon as possible – I may have only been young but I’ve always had an old head on my shoulders.
I was convinced with me being single as well that they wouldn’t take me seriously – but I was over the moon when they did.
Ben’s background as a carer helped him with the decision, as he said:
Due to previously working with disabled adults and children, I knew it was only right for me to adopt a disabled child because I knew I’d be able to care for them properly.
I originally saw an advertisement from local adoption social services looking for adoptive parents; and I thought, well, they’re not going to want me as a single guy.
But I told them who I was and where I worked and they were really positive and quite enthusiastic about me adopting a child.
Nine years on, I have five children and I wouldn’t change a thing.
The full-time dad said he was never bothered about having biological children, as he believes adopting is just as good.
Ben explained:
I’ve never wanted biological children because there’s much, much more than just being biologically linked to a child.
My children are my children – for example they have the same mannerisms as me. Yes, they might not have the same blood as me, but who cares!
While five kids might be a handful for any parent, Ben’s family may continue to grow. He has no current plans to adopt again, but says he could see himself fostering kids in the future.
The father-of-five has remained single since he was 21, and isn’t seeking a relationship any time soon. Fatherly duties take precedence in his life, he ‘would literally walk over hot coals to protect them [his children] and provide for them’.
As Ben put it:
Anyone can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a dad.
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Charlie Cocksedge is a journalist and sub-editor at UNILAD. He graduated from the University of Manchester with an MA in Creative Writing, where he learnt how to write in the third person, before getting his NCTJ. His work has also appeared in such places as The Guardian, PN Review and the bin.