‘I pray 2021 is better for
SUPERDAD’S MESSAGE OF HOPE AFTER THE CHALLENGES OF A YEAR LIKE
HUDDERSFIELD dad Ben Carpenter is hoping for a more settled few months following a stressful year.
Adoption champion Ben welcomed adopted son Louis into his family earlier this year following the tragic death of son Noah, who died suddenly aged two following a seizure in November last year.
Ben says two-and-a-half-year-old Louis, who has cerebral palsy and is blind, is thriving in his new surroundings and has been getting to know his new brothers and sisters, Jack, 13, Ruby, 10, Lily, eight, and Joseph, five, all of whom have special needs.
But the last few months have been a bit of a rollercoaster for the Carpenter family due to Covid-19 lockdowns and uncertainty around schooling and the need to safeguard everyone’s health, particularly the children who are especially vulnerable.
“This year has been a tough one,” says Ben, who is single.
“It is not as raw now as it was when Noah passed away but it has been tough for everyone due to Covid.”
The closure of schools meant all the Carpenter children were at home which brought further challenges, but also blessings.
“It has been wonderful to have family time.
“We put everything aside to create a sensory garden for the children which has been lovely.
“The second lockdown was more challenging. The children have been back to school but things have been more stressful.
“We have had to adapt as a family. I don’t have ‘run of the mill’ children – some of them have respiratory issues and I have had nothing but worry and more worry (in relation to Covid-19).
“Some of the children have spent more time at home than they have at school, due to isolating.
“Some days I have had one, two or even three children at home, so it
I don’t have ‘run of the mill’ children – some of them have respiratory issues and I have had nothing but worry and more worry.
has been challenging and completely crazy.
“But when you sit down and think, it puts things into perspective and is an opportunity to reflect on things as a family and also do things we have not done before.”
Christmas, says Ben, is one of his favourite times of the year.
“I really adore Christmas. Even last year, when we were still raw (following the death of Noah), we tried to make it as nice as possible.”
This year’s celebrations will be a