Natalie

This fundraiser is to help raise money for my brother and his family who have given all of their resources to support Natalie (that cute little blonde with glasses) who is not their biological daughter but has been in their loving care for the past several years.

Jon and Sarah have 4 biological children, and in 2019 they began caring for Natalie. Substance abuse and neglect from Natalie's birth mom led to her being placed in their home. The birth mother has not been involved in her life for the past 3 years, and Natalie last lived with her birth father almost 5 years ago. This has left Natalie with an attachment disorder that is difficult to manage, but she has formed meaningful bonds with Jon and Sarah and their other 4 children in spite of it.

Over the past few years, they have given her all of the love and support that she never had before. She has been part of every holiday, birthday, family vacation, and milestone. She started school for the first time and graduated from kindergarten in their care. She lost her first tooth and got her first bedroom! She was there for the birth of their youngest son, who just like the rest of their children has absolutely become like a real sibling to her. Their bonds are beautiful and strong. On her 7th birthday she blew out her candles and wished to be adopted by them. She has lived a whole life with them.

Due to her history, Natalie has high needs that come with high expenses. Jon and Sarah have made her mental health a priority and paid for her psychologist out of pocket.

Sarah left her job with the department of children and families earlier this year to make all of Natalie's therapy appointments and provide her with necessary additional support. Jon was supposed to begin a new career in trucking that would make enough for this to be possible, but his start date got delayed and now they have found themselves having to choose between fighting for their girl and feeding their children.

They have been in a long custody battle with the biological father that has placed extreme financial strain on their family. Between legal fees and medical expenses they have spent close to $25,000 out of pocket to care for Natalie. They don't want to give up on her, but they can no longer afford their attorney and her care.

Right now they are facing sending her to live with her biological father who lives 17 hours away from the only life she knows, not for her best interests but for financial inability to do otherwise. This is obviously going to be traumatic for not just Natalie but their entire family.

It is unclear what will happen next, but they really need your help. Please give what you can to help this amazing family carry on.