Believe in dreams program helps families

On April 7, the television show "Maury," a long time running daytime talk show featured the Springfield, Mo., Internet based company Vacations Made Easy.

The company had donated an all-expense paid trip to a family in need. The family's daughter had been involved in a horrific car accident that had left the girl in intensive care.

The constant worrying, the medical bills, all of these hardships were upon the family as they faced a year of recovery. The family had not been able to take a trip anywhere because of this.

Vacations Made Easy was inspired to develop a program for families in crisis, "Believe in Dreams." The family was given a trip to Orlando, Fla., for a week-long Walt Disney World vacation.

"Here at Vacations Made Easy, we were deeply touched and inspired by the positive attitude and resiliency shown by the family. We decided that after spending months suffering with the tragedy that nearly cost them their child, the family could definitely use a vacation ... It is our hope that the week in Florida will allow them quality time together to share plenty of laughs as they finally enjoy the opportunity to forget their troubles of the past year," said Vacations Made Easy officials.

The company wanted to make it possible for other families in need to receive a well earned vacation.

Through their "Believe In Dreams" program, "families will tell us about their dream vacation, and we'll help turn some of those dreams into a reality." officials said.

Any family who is currently facing or has faced hardships or extreme situations that has prevented them from taking a vacation is eligible to participate in the program. Vacations Made Easy eagerly wants to make sure these families have a renewed reason to believe in dreams.

These families are voted on by a Web poll, to find out more information on nominating or voting for a family please visit www.vacationsmadeeasy.com.

Already there are many families who have told their heart wrenching stories about the hardships they have faced; In one titled "For Skyler." It reads, "I have a beautiful little 4-year-old girl named Skyler. She has been a blessing in our lives since she was born.

"This is a little girl that has faced the odds since the day she was born, she was sick a lot and at 9 months she was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, which at this point there is no cure for.

"Skyler is an incredibly happy child even though she has up to three hours of therapy a day as well as a stack of medication she takes and her doctor's appointments.

"Cystic Fibrosis is a progressive disease, and we have to live with the fact that this may be the healthiest she will ever be. We are a family of four and we have lots of medical bills and we would love to take our daughter to a warm place -- we live in Canada.

"I hesitated to write this because I know that there are so many deserving people, but I really feel Skyler deserves a break and a taste of a carefree holiday while she still can. Thanks."

This and other stories like this are just a few of the hardships that families endure. Believe in Dreams is a philanthropic program that seeks to give those in need a break and allow them to share leisure time together as a family.