Dream Factory of Southern Illinois

In her own words

Many people may know me as the Local Woman who started Dream Factory of Southern Illinois chapter, but fewer know why.

The reason is my oldest daughter.

My story began in 2009 when my daughter Evie was born. She was a micro preemie, born at 23 weeks, weighing 1-pound 5oz, 11 inches long. She had an almost 9-month NICU stay, and she ended up having a tracheostomy inserted at 6 months old and had that pesky trach until she was 10 1/2 years old. During those years she underwent 30ish surgeries, 2 being very large complex surgeries to reconstruct her airway. One of those large surgeries we had to travel back and forth to Cincinnati staying 3 weeks when she had her surgery. A large airway reconstruction surgery is no joke! She is a fighter and at 17 she is still pretty feisty!

In October of 2015 Evie was denied for the 3rd time for other dream opportunities. I took to social media upset and frustrated not understanding how my child with then, a 3000-page medical record didn’t qualify. After years of hospital stays, surgeries, therapies, 24/7 in home nursing care and uncertainty, being told repeatedly that my child “wasn’t sick enough” was heartbreaking!

Someone reached out to tell me about Dream Factory out of St. Louis. I jumped online, filled out a referral, got an email later that evening asking me questions. A week later we met 2 of their wonderful volunteers. Those volunteers were so sweet, they were understanding, and most of all acknowledged that our journey was hard, and not just hard on Evie, but on my husband and I too. The process was easy and quick and in January 2016 we were in Disney staying at Give Kids the World resort living Evie’s Dream.

Evie is now in her Junior year at Collinsville High School where she plays percussion with the symphonic band. She is also teaching herself how to play the Bass Guitar. She is in the top 10% of her class with goals to do medical research as a career. Evie also volunteers with our local chapter along with her 5 year old little sister.

Another great thing about Dream Factory is once you are a dream family you are always a dream family. Local chapters hold events throughout the year, free of charge for their dream families, to come and meet other families and enjoy some respite time that isn’t revolved around medical stress. A few years ago, at the St. Louis Christmas party I decided I wanted to start volunteering, and during my time there I even granted a dream! I realized there was an overwhelming need in our local area and in May of 2024 I decided to start a chapter right here in Madison and St. Clair County. I know first-hand what families go through when they have a child who are medically complex, and I was ready to bring them some joy.

Today, our chapter serves children in Madison and St. Clair Counties facing chronic and critical illnesses.

Every time I meet a new dream family, I remember exactly what it felt like to sit on the other side of the table. I remember the fear, the exhaustion, the uncertainty, and the joy that Dream Factory brought to our family. That’s why I do this. Because every child deserves something to look forward to, and every family deserves a chance to make memories that aren’t centered around doctors, hospitals, and diagnoses. 🩵

~ Veronica