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.

More info: Instagram

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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