{"id":137131,"date":"2019-11-20T15:56:22","date_gmt":"2019-11-20T12:56:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/femail\/article-7706075\/Single-superdad-heartbroken-sudden-death-youngest-son-two.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490"},"modified":"2019-11-20T15:56:22","modified_gmt":"2019-11-20T12:56:22","slug":"single-superdad-heartbroken-by-sudden-death-of-his-youngest-son-two","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/wardoon.net\/so\/single-superdad-heartbroken-by-sudden-death-of-his-youngest-son-two\/","title":{"rendered":"Single ‘superdad’ heartbroken by sudden death of his youngest son, two"},"content":{"rendered":"

A single father-of-five adopted disabled children has spoken of his ‘complete heartbreak’ after his youngest son died aged two. <\/p>\n

Breaking the tragic news, Ben Carpenter, from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, said that two-year-old Noah had died ‘suddenly’ and he had been left ‘numb’ with grief. <\/p>\n

The ‘superdad’ told the Huddersfield Examiner<\/a>: ‘At 3.30 my beautiful baby boy passed away. Words cannot describe how numb I am feeling right now.’<\/p>\n

Ben, who is also father to Jack, Ruby, Lily and Joseph – all of whom have disabilities, posted a photo of his son on Twitter along with an emotional message, saying: ‘My heart is completely broken. fly high my beautiful boy! <\/p>\n

‘You brought so much joy to our life\u2019s, in fact everyones life\u2019s. I love you with all my heart my boy. Untill we meet again Daddy.’<\/p>\n

Scroll down for video<\/span>  <\/p>\n

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Ben Carpenter, from Huddersfield West Yorkshire, has revealed his heartbreak at the loss of his two-year-old son Noah (pictured fourth from left), who was born with a rare syndrome that affected his arms and legs<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The single dad posted this photo of his son, writing: ‘My heart is completely broken. fly high my beautiful boy! ‘You brought so much joy to our life\u2019s, in fact everyones life\u2019s. I love you with all my heart my boy. Untill we meet again Daddy.’<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Mr Carpenter become a dad-of-five after adopting Noah at 15-months-old in 2018. Noah was born with Cornelia de Lange syndrome<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Single father Ben pictured in 2018 with his other children, all of whom are disabled  (clockwise from top: Jack, Ruby, Lily and Joseph)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

He told the Huddersfield Examiner that Noah was the ‘most placid child I have ever cared for’ and described his death as ‘sudden and unexpected’.<\/p>\n

The full-time single parent, who was believed to be the youngest gay adopter in the UK when he became a dad at 21, adopted baby Noah at 15 months, after seeing him in a magazine about adoption and deciding to go through the process for a fifth time.  <\/p>\n

Ben is currently in the process of adopting a sixth child, a disabled baby boy. <\/p>\n

Noah was born with Cornelia de Lange syndrome which causes birth defects affecting the use of limbs. <\/p>\n

When he adopted Noah, Ben, a former special needs worker, told the Mirror<\/a>: ‘I could see he had profound disabilities and I instantly fell in love.’ <\/p>\n

Cornelia de Lange syndrome can shorten life expectancy due to cardiovascular problems, with other symptoms including intellectual disability, delays in normal growth and deafness. <\/p>\n

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Ben Carpenter, pictured with his four adopted children before he welcomed Noah into the family in 2018<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The news of Noah’s death was greeted with a flood of sympathy on social media. <\/p>\n

Ben lives with his mother, Rita, and has a robust support network to help him care for his children, including the children’s godmother Michelle Jackson and close friend Jeanette Bottomley. <\/p>\n

After spending years struggling to adopt as a single, gay man, Ben became father to his eldest son Jack, who has autism and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), ten years ago.  <\/p>\n

Since then, the doting dad has spent thousands of hours caring for his severely disabled children. Ruby has a condition called Pierre Robin syndrome, which affects the head and face as well as problems with movement in her arms.<\/p>\n

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Mr Carpenter said everyone in his home is taught the importance of a ‘can do’ attitude <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Mr Carpenter said it took three years to convince authorities he would make a good father<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Biological half-sister to Ruby is Lily, who is deaf, and there’s also Joseph, who needs a colostomy bag and has Down’s syndrome.<\/p>\n

Ben told the Mirror that although parenthood in his house can be ‘trying’ at times, he loves being a father: ‘It has its moments, I can\u2019t sugarcoat that, we have some really trying times. <\/p>\n

‘I have five children all with really complex needs, there is a lot of appointments up and down the country which can be quite draining.’<\/p>\n

He adds: ‘People say it is hard work but I love every bit of what I do.’   <\/p>\n

Ben explained that going into nursery homes in his youth inspired him, adding: ‘The love and support has grown with me and my love has grown with the family.’<\/p>\n

The 34-year-old single father was previously named Adopter Champion of the Year after he adopted four disabled children since 2010. <\/p>\n

Speaking to Femail, Ben said the attention in the media was lovely but that he hopes his story will inspire others to adopt.<\/p>\n

Mr Carpenter says: ‘People have called me a saint and say what I do is remarkable but I just wanted to be a dad and adopting is my way of becoming a dad.<\/p>\n

‘I only ever wanted one child when I started on the process of adoption. I am a believer in fate – this is what I was meant to do.’<\/p>\n

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Mr Carpenter, pictured, is a previous adopter champion of the year as a result of his dedication to his growing family<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Mr Carpenter’s adoption journey began more than 10 years ago when he became one of youngest gay men in the country to adopt a child.<\/p>\n

It had taken him around three years to convince the authorities that he was serious about adopting and, more importantly, had the maturity and skills to be a good dad.<\/p>\n

All children have made significant progress since being adopted and have surprised social workers and medical professionals alike.<\/p>\n

Mr Carpenter said: ‘I get called a saint all the time and “how do you do it?”<\/p>\n

My mum Rita is a huge support to me and my friend Jeanette is an amazing woman and help to me.<\/p>\n

‘The charity Adoption UK has also been lovely and deserves praise for the work they do and support they provide.’<\/p>\n

He remains single to this day and doesn’t see it as an issue.<\/p>\n

Mr Carpenter said: ‘I have never sought a relationship, it never interested me.<\/p>\n

‘I like to do my own thing. At the end of the day I like a cup of tea and a slice of cake and to not listen to someone snoring!’<\/p>\n

When he’s not looking after the children – which is pretty much 24\/7 – Mr Carpenter works to educate other prospective adopters and sits on a local adoption panel.<\/p>\n

He said: ‘I celebrate and promote adoption. It’s the most rewarding, satisfying and challenging thing I have done.<\/p>\n

‘I am not going to sugar-coat it because it’s not for the faint-hearted.<\/p>\n

You have to be 100% committed. If you are considering adopting, make sure you have childcare experience. If you are not already a parent make sure that it’s right for you.<\/p>\n

‘I have always said that adopting a disabled child isn’t right for everyone. You have to be totally honest with yourself.’<\/p>\n

His driving motivation is seeing his children learning new skills and growing in confidence.<\/p>\n

When he first met Ruby she was hooked up to a feeding machine, couldn’t speak and was reliant on a wheelchair.<\/p>\n

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Mr Carpenter said when he first met his daughter Ruby, pictured, she was hooked up to a feeding machine but has made tremendous progress as she grows up<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Mr Carpenter said: ‘She looked a very sorry little girl.<\/p>\n

‘She was petrified and shaking and it broke my heart. She is eating and walking now, although she has life-long needs.<\/p>\n

‘I am quite proud of myself that I have turned her life around. Seeing the changes in her is just outstanding.<\/p>\n

‘Seeing my children and how they are now is why I get up in the morning.<\/p>\n

‘In this house we have an “I can do” attitude and we try to teach them as much independence as we can. Disability isn’t the be all and end all.’<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A single father-of-five adopted disabled children has spoken of his ‘complete heartbreak’ after his youngest son died aged two.  Breaking the tragic news, Ben Carpenter, from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, said that two-year-old Noah had died ‘suddenly’ and he had been left ‘numb’ with grief.  The ‘superdad’ told the Huddersfield Examiner: ‘At 3.30 my beautiful baby […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":137132,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":{"facebook_10221280388112155_325455220908133":""},"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-137131","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-english-news"],"yoast_head":"\nSingle 'superdad' heartbroken by sudden death of his youngest son, two - 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