HeavenSentBooks.net Helps Children Realize Their Dreams *** New Web Site Benefits Children and Families affected by HIV/AIDS***

Every child has a purpose - and every child deserves a chance. The Ray-Ray Dream Project helps children learn that dreams are important and teaches them that by living their dreams, they can change the world. www.heavensentbooks.net, inspired by a child with AIDS, is a new Web site dedicated to helping all children realizee their dreams.

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HeavenSentBooks.net Helps Children Realize Their Dreams
***New Web Site Benefits Children and Families affected by HIV/AIDS***

August 14, 2002: Children with HIV/AIDS know they are different. They know it from the wary looks received when meeting new people and from the hasty retreats made by old friends who learn of their illness. The secrecy in which the autoimmune disease still is shrouded creates an atmosphere of loneliness and segregation for anyone affected by it - but children, especially, find it difficult to lead a normal life in the face of the incurable disease. They find it harder still to imagine a life where dreams can come true.

www.HeavenSentBooks.net is a new Web site dedicated to helping these children. Barbara Massine Johnson, author and speaker, created the site to spread the message that all children are unique and possess special gifts and purpose.

"I'm from North Dakota," says Johnson. "I never thought I would have to deal with AIDS - it seemed like a disease for grown-ups, not children. And then I discovered that children suffer immensely from this disease, whether they have it themselves or whether their parents or siblings have it. Despite the fact that AIDS has been around now for two decades, our society still treats these children as modern-day lepers."

Johnson believes that every child has a purpose - and that every child deserves a chance. This belief was strengthened by her experience with Raymond Pena, her foster son who died at the age of four from complications of AIDS. Her book, "Ray-Ray's Dream," is the true story of a little boy abandoned by family who suffers from AIDS yet dreams of making the world a better place for other children.

She established the Ray-Ray Dream Project to help other children learn that dreams are important - and that by living their dreams, children can change the world. Johnson goes to schools, libraries and bookstores to read her books aloud to children, telling Ray's story and leading them in a drawing and writing project that helps the children create their own dreams.

Johnson also founded Colorado's Camp Ray-Ray in 1995 in memory of Ray. The camp benefits children with AIDS, children orphaned by AIDS and children living in families where a member has AIDS. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of "Ray-Ray's Dream" directly benefit the camp as well as the Ray-Ray Dream Project. The book can be ordered via phone (1.970.555.5555) or Internet ( www.heavensentbooks.net ).

CREDENTIALS
Barbara Massine Johnson holds a Bachelor's degree in Speech-Language Therapy and a Masters degree in Early Childhood Special Education. Since 1989, she has dedicated herself to children with special needs and their families. She lives in Loveland, Colo., where she continues to make Ray-Ray's dream a reality through AIDS education and awareness, advocacy for children and inspiring others to dream of making the world a better place.

AVAILABILITY
Johnson is available for personal media appearances, interviews and book events via phone or by special arrangement. Press kits and review book copies are available. Suggested interview topics: AIDS education and awareness, teaching children to dream, adoption of children with or affected by AIDS and, of course, Ray-Ray's Dream Project.

For further information, please direct inquiries to:
Barbara Massine Johnson    
1.866.65-DREAM
www.heavensentbooks.net
barb@heavensentbooks.net

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