Help them Stay Together Forever

Hi there! The whole purpose of this GoFundMe is to support the funds that would go into my friend officially adopting her two wonderful boys.

My friend's name is Cherish Bowman, and her sons are Ryan Lancaster and Christian Lancaster. These boys were taken in by Cherish when they were both babies and toddlers after severe neglect in their formative years.

Unfortunately Ryan and Christian were subject to months (in Ryan's case) and years (in Christian's case) of neglect early in their lives. To prevent any future trauma and separation from parental figures, it has come time to make Cherish's second name, "Mom," official. The boys being officially adopted by Cherish would cement her ability to move them forward from the damage that just those few months and years have caused, and into a place of growth, healing, and stability.

Ryan was under all developmental milestones when Cherish was granted care. In an attempt to foster growth and healing for Ryan, Cherish enrolled him in a program called "Help Me Grow." Typically this program is available for children who have some diagnosable disability or intellectual deficits, but Ryan had none to be found; only the severe neglect that left him majorly behind where he should have been. After working with this program for about a year, Ryan was showing signs of being highly intelligent (gifted even), showing even more what this little guy was capable of with some proper care and love. In just one year of Cherish's care, and support from the community, he was thriving (but not without repercussions from the neglect of his past.) Ryan today, still struggles with anxiety and panic related to the lack of care in his infancy.

Christian was also behind when he came into Cherish's care. It was identified that he had 3 major Traumatic Brain Injuries in his early years of unknown causes. This caused issues in his ability to focus his eyes, as well as overall brain functioning.

Both boys came to her with many struggles to overcome that they are still fighting today. With her unending love and support for these boys, she has taken them as her own. Called mom by both boys, and appreciated just the same. Both boys have expressed that they want to be adopted by Cherish to keep them all "together forever."

Cherish has provided for, loved, and taken care of the boys majorly on her own. She could use the support of her community to fund the cost it will take to officially adopt Ryan and Christian. The money you provide for this cause will legally bind three individuals who have been a family for longer than these official forms can dictate. Please consider supporting them in their journey and keeping this family together forever.