A young girl’s life changed after being rejected by her mother and 20 adoptive families—until Luca Trapanese stepped in.
Luca, a 41-year-old single, gay man from Italy, adopted baby Alba, who has Down syndrome, when she was just 13 days old. His story went viral, partly because adoptions by single, homosexual men are rarely approved in Italy.
Despite challenges, Luca was determined. “I was told I’d only be offered a child with severe disabilities or behavioral issues. I was absolutely OK with that,” he told the BBC.
Luca, who had long worked in care centers and began volunteering at 14 after losing his best friend to cancer, always dreamed of being a father. When he first held Alba, he knew instantly: “She was my daughter.”
Alba is now a lively child who loves to dance and play. Their joyful life together has inspired many online, with over 320,000 people following their journey on Instagram.
Their bond proves that love makes a family—defying stereotypes about fatherhood, religion, and adoption.