Who we are
We stand with one medically complex child and one family for life — with financial relief, coordinated care, and unwavering advocacy.
Our daughter, Lillian Bijou Forman, lived a life that reshaped everything we thought we knew about strength, joy, and love.
Before she passed on June 4, 2023, we made a promise: no family would walk this road alone. The foundation exists to keep that promise.
What we believe
Presence matters — families need consistency, not quick check-ins.
Transparency builds trust — support should be clear and accountable.
Dignity first — every family’s story is handled with care.
Our Story
Lillian Bijou Forman entered this world small, fragile, and already fighting. Injured during a traumatic delivery, she was left a quadriplegic and dependent on a ventilator to breathe. We knew her journey would not be simple. What we didn’t yet understand was how profoundly she would shape ours.
Doctors gave us diagnoses. Medical terminology. Lists of complications. Long-term projections. But we didn’t see limitations. We saw our daughter. And from that moment forward, we made a decision: We would give her the fullest life possible — no matter what it required.
The Beginning
The journey with a medically complex child is not linear. It is hospital rooms and hope. Specialists and second opinions. Insurance battles and midnight research. Equipment deliveries and emergency calls.
For Lillian, it meant:
Ventilator
Wheelchair
Feeding tube
Daily therapies
Endless appointments
Cross-country travel for specialists
For us, it meant rebuilding our lives around her needs. We lost businesses. We sold off investments. We moved 3 times across the country to find the best care. We chased the best doctors. We learned systems no parent should ever have to learn. And we would do it all again. Because she was worth everything.
The Journey
Lillian was not her diagnosis. She was joy. She laughed loudly. She loved adventure. She traveled. She attended weddings. She celebrated birthdays. She experienced beaches, mountains, boats, and sunshine. Machines surrounded her — but they never defined her. If anything, they amplified her strength.
She smiled through ventilators. She found beauty in small moments. She taught us patience. She taught us resilience. She taught us what really matters. Her presence shifted every room she entered.
The Bright Light
Raising a medically complex child is not just emotionally demanding — it is financially overwhelming. Specialists across state lines. Travel expenses. Adaptive equipment. Lost income from caregiving. Insurance limitations. Constant coordination. We experienced it all.
And we were fortunate to have resources and determination. But we met countless families along the way who were drowning under the weight. Families choosing between therapies and groceries. Between travel and rent. Between hope and survival. That reality stayed with us.
The Reality
On June 4, 2023, Lillian passed away at seven years old. Seven years that changed us forever. Seven years that showed us what strength looks like. Seven years that proved life is not measured in length — but in impact.
The grief is real. The absence is real. But so is her legacy. Before she left us, we made a promise: Her story would not end in loss. It would continue in service.
The Ending
The Lillian Bijou Foundation was born from that promise. We commit to standing with one child and one family for life. Not temporary relief. Not short-term charity. Not surface-level support. Lifelong partnership.
Because we know what this journey feels like. We know the systems. We know the exhaustion. We know the financial strain. We know the isolation. And we know that no family should face it alone.
The Promise
How support works
Apply (or refer a family).
Review with care and discretion.
Support delivered with long-term commitment and clear communication.
If you’re unsure whether you qualify, we still encourage you to apply — we’ll guide you with respect either way.
Ready to take the next step?
Start an application or refer a family — it only takes a few minutes.