Allen Park, Michigan -- 14 year old Josh Pobursky said, when his high school counselor walked into his classroom and told him to come with her, "I thought I was in trouble"! Instead, the Allen Park High School freshman was lead into an adjacent classroom where some of his closest friends, his family, the school system’s superintendent and others were waiting to see his reaction to the news that a new children’s television show, "Hang On to the Dream", was about to make one of his biggest dreams come true.

Josh, who lives in Allen Park, Michigan (just outside of Detroit), is a double leg amputee, after having lost both of his limbs below the knee due to a birth defect. His parents were told at the time of his birth that he would be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. However, Josh has proved the doctors wrong by becoming one of the best hockey players on his little league hockey team, showing no signs that he has 2 artificial legs as he skates around the ice. That’s when word of Josh reached Christopher Ewing, the creator and host of "Hang On to the Dream". "As soon as I heard about Josh and saw him on the ice, I knew that we had to have him on the show", Ewing says. "Hang On to the Dream" is a newsmagazine that features kids who are considered positive role models for other kids because of their skills, achievements or triumph over tragedy, who are then presented with "things" that will help them to continue to "hang on" to their dreams. Ewing found out that Josh’s dream has been to one day meet his idol, former Colorado Avalanche goalie Patrick Roy. "I guess he has photos of Patrick Roy all over his room, on his computer’s screen saver, you name it", Ewing says. So the camera was rolling at Josh’s school the other day when he was told the news: that Ewing and his show "Hang On to the Dream" was flying him and his family to Quebec City where Josh will get to meet, and skate with, NHL legend Patrick Roy.

So on March 12 Josh's dream came true when he took the ice at the Pepsi Coliseum in Quebec City with his hockey idol. "It was awesome!", Josh said when he was asked by reporters about his feelings of the experience.  "At first I was really nervous meeting him and seeing all of the cameras and everything, but Patrick was really cool and he made me feel a lot more at ease."

"Josh is incredible", Patrick says of the young hockey phenom.  "He is great kid with a lot of talent and he is truly an inspiration to all of us."

"Josh is truly what "Hang On to the Dream" is all about", Christopher says.  "He is a great kid who has never let his 'disability', if you want to call it that, get in the way of his dream of playing hockey.  Doctors told his family after they amputated his legs that he would grow up and never be able to walk.  In a way I guess they were right, because all Josh does everyday is skate!"   Ewing, who is also from the Detroit area, had to laugh, though, when he heard who Josh wanted to meet. "I thought it was kind of funny at first when he said that he wanted to meet a player from the Avalanche, because of the Detroit Red Wings/Colorado Avalanche rivalry, but it’s my job to try to make kid’s dreams come true and I think it’s great that Mr. Roy was willing to take the time out of his busy schedule to hang out with Josh".

"Hang On to the Dream" is the creation of Ewing, whose show originally aired several years ago in a series of monthly specials on the NBC affiliate in Detroit. The show was a tremendous hit among viewers and went on to win a regional Emmy Award for "Best Children’s & Youth Program", as well as a "Service to Children Television Award" from the National Association of Broadcasters, who presented the award to Ewing at a black tie reception on Capitol Hill.  Now, the show is shooting new episodes in hopes of national syndication.  Kid’s featured on the show receive anything and everything related to their dream, from art supplies, to internships to opportunities like Josh’s and more. On one of the show's original episodes, Ewing presented a young high school senior from a single-parent home with nearly $11,000 to attend college.  "Because of all of the negative stuff on television these days, people keep saying to me ‘you’ve got to bring the show back’" Ewing says. "It’s the ultimate reality show. It's not about kids eating bugs and trying to survive on a deserted island. It’s about real kids, with real dreams who deserve to be recognized for their achievements and have their dreams come true."   Ewing has also formed the "Hang On to the Dream Foundation", a non-profit organization set-up to help fulfill the dreams of kids around the country by supplying them with needed items, opportunities and more.

Those who wish to nominate a young person to be featured on "Hang On to the Dream" or for businesses who wish to donate items or opportunities, log on to www.hangontothedream.com. Also, in an effort to help even more kids around the country, the newly formed "Hang On to the Dream Foundation" is being set up to provide items, opportunities, scholarships and more.    # # #

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