Octo-Mom Not Cleaning Up With Product Endorsements.

Gingersnap · 02-04-2009, 09:52 AM

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Octuplets’ Mother Not Being Showered With Gifts

Wednesday, February 04, 2009
By Shaya Tayefe Mohajer and John Rogers, Associated Press

Los Angeles (AP) - Where is the unlimited supply of diapers, formula and baby wipes? The free van? The brand-new house?

Women who give birth to six, seven or eight babies are often showered with dazzling gifts from big corporations, local businesses and strangers. But that is not happening with the Southern California mother who delivered octuplets last week.

The news that she is a single mother with six other children -- and that all 14 were conceived by having embryos implanted -- seems to have turned off many people, and companies are not exactly rushing to get publicity by piling on the freebies.

Nadya Suleman, 33, has been lambasted by talk-show hosts, fertility experts, even her own mother, who has her hands full taking care of Suleman's other children, ages 2 to 7.

A veteran Hollywood publicist said Suleman's handlers have their work cut out for them in trying to win public sympathy for her.

"I think it's a calamity," said publicist David Brokaw, who has handled crises for celebrities. "I don't see, the way this is shaped, how you can say much about it in terms of something favorable."

Makers of diapers, formula and other products would probably want to steer clear of her, Brokaw said. He suggested she lie low for now and concentrate on crafting an image as a responsible parent.

Gerber spokesman David Mortazavi said that if the baby-food maker was planning to do something for the family, it probably would have done it already, and that the octuplets' birth was not on Gerber's radar. He would not elaborate.

Much more at the link including info on her employment history, family reaction, and so on. There's something seriously wrong with this situation.

Octo

Sonnabend · 02-04-2009, 09:56 AM

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There's something seriously wrong with this situation.

YA THINK?????

noonwitch · 02-04-2009, 12:20 PM

As much as I think the mom used bad judgment in getting pregnant and all, I really feel sick when I see the way the media is going after her like she's a corrupt politician or something.

linda22003 · 02-04-2009, 12:20 PM

Bad judgment? I think "mental illness" is a more likely cause of this situation.

Gingersnap · 02-04-2009, 12:26 PM

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Originally Posted by linda22003

Bad judgment? I think "mental illness" is a more likely cause of this situation.

I think that's probably correct. I don't have anything against large families but women who elect to have children without a father run into trouble when they only have one or two. This is way beyond that.

noonwitch · 02-04-2009, 01:18 PM

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Originally Posted by linda22003

Bad judgment? I think "mental illness" is a more likely cause of this situation.

Okay, mental illness-either way, I don't like to see the media attack her with such ferocity.

Phillygirl · 02-04-2009, 01:35 PM

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Conservative radio talk show host Bill Handel in Los Angeles, who has branded the births "freakish," said on the air Tuesday that people are ready to boycott any corporations that help the octuplets or their mother.

That's just rude and unnecessary. Threatening someone because they help this woman and her babies? I may not like what she has done; I may find it borders on immoral and unethical conduct by the doctors, but I don't begrudge if she is given help now that the initial problematic action has been completed. There are still 14 babies/kids that need to be cared for. Whether we like how they came to be, they are here. And hungry.

PoliCon · 02-04-2009, 01:40 PM

I know I'm going to be criticized for pointing this out - but her name has a very ethnic ring to it - middle eastern in fact.

linda22003 · 02-04-2009, 01:44 PM

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Originally Posted by PoliCon

I know I'm going to be criticized for pointing this out - but her name has a very ethnic ring to it - middle eastern in fact.

Yes... a single woman having in vitro to produce babies without a husband is a Muslim trait.

PoliCon · 02-04-2009, 01:52 PM

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Originally Posted by linda22003

Yes... a single woman having in vitro to produce babies without a husband is a Muslim trait.

never said it was - but I think the cultural aspect of the story bears some investigation especially since the grandmother Angela says that she was brought up in "the traditional way."

An interesting side note -

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In 2008, Angela Suleman filed for bankruptcy, claiming nearly $1 million in liabilities mostly due to a bad housing investment, her bankruptcy attorney said. Suleman said Friday that she had withdrawn the filing and paid her debts.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la...,6246659.story

At least one person is making money off this story . . . .