The Book of Laz

<p>Chris-born Lazarus-had to contend with everything from abuse to assault and attempted murder growing up.<br />Whether it was his birth mother his foster families or adoptive parents no one seemed to care about him or want him. Even the police were not on his side: At age sixteen he was arrested for defending himself against abuse.<br />He spent birthdays and holidays alone in a group home thinking of ways to end his life. <br />Everyone told him he would end up in jail or dead.<br />But at the group home he met some people who changed his life. They put him in check gave him love taught him about basketball-and even took him to get a haircut and bought him sneakers.<br />While the odds were stacked against Chris he beat them. This is the story of how he kept fighting and never let his past dictate his future.</p>