Write the Editors at People

The article is irresponsible, at best. Andrea Billups needs to be "recognized" for her piecemeal, hack job journalism. I do not know Eileen and her family personally but I have been following her story on here since the beginning.

We - as a community - need to let People know this is SO NOT OK.

My suggestion - each of us should email / call People. Put in on twitter -- let them know this is not OK.

Article Writer - wouldn't really call her a journalist......
andrea billups
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Here's my letter

To the Editorial Staff at People Magazine,

I am truly disgusted at the irresponsible writing of Andrea Billups article. To piece a story together, as an article - not an opinion or editorial, and call it a story WITHOUT true fact or WITHOUT pulling the correct details is deplorable at best. You have become the next National Enquirer, a true "rag."

I am FURIOUS that you allow this to not only happen, but to happen at the expense of a 9 month old baby and her family. A family dealing with far more than most, a family who took a situation many of us can still not wrap our heads around, and found the shining star.....their baby girl. They have limited time with her, they chose to experience the memories and joy that many of us get a lifetime to accomplish. You, People Magazine, have now cut into that time, have taken time from that joy, have robbed Quinn of time because of your disgusting portrayal of a wonderful story.

I can assure you that People is no longer considered in my home, that the Washington Time will also get alerted to Ms. Billups irresponsible journalism.

I think at the very very least you all owe the Linzer family an apology.

Message edited 3/2/2013 10:33:02 AM.

Write the Editors at People

Comments were sickening. Sometimes the comment section should be disabled for stories such as this. There really is nothing to discuss or debate with a personal story. Stomach turning, that's for sure.

I was googling and saw that people magazine has done this in the past.

I'm posting from my phone but here's a link to one experience... It may be wise for the family to send a cease a desist letter if they want it removed ASAP.

http://www.petapixel.com/2010/09/03/people-magazine-uses-photo-without-permission-receives-cake-invoice/

Also - if there is any bright side to this - it may have led to some awareness of a rare disorder (I had never heard of it before until reading it here) and it also may have led others to donate or do something nice in this little girl's name.

Write the Editors at People

Great idea. This is what I sent:


Thanks to your terribly written article posted several days ago on people.com, you have caused the Linzer family even more sadness and pain than they are already facing every single day. Your shoddy "journalism" fails to capture what the family is trying to accomplish, which is simply to create family memories, not only for Quinn but her parents and two young brothers. The creation of these amazing opportunities for the Linzers to affirm their love for each other and Quinn has been facilitated by family, friends, and complete strangers like me. We are heartbroken over what Quinn and her family are going through and simply wanted to help in a situation that will likely have a devastating ending. I am not quite sure what your intent was by posting such an incomplete and sensational story. However, I can tell you that the result was to cause a tremendous amount of unnecessary pain for the family by subjecting them to disgusting criticism. These scathing words were prompted by your inability to capture what this is all about-love, healing, and making the most out of a horrible situation. The Linzers are not another Kardashian family doing this for fame, money, or recognition which is what you have made it out to be. Shame on People.com! I urge your publication to do something to make this better, whether it be a retraction or apology to the family with the hopes of undoing at least some of the damage you caused.

Write the Editors at People

I am so glad others agree. I read the article last week and I was FLOORED. I actually thought there was more to the article and kept looking for page 2. I have been following this family as well as we live in the same town and what people magazine did is atrocious.

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I can't believe that the writer did not contact the family before publishing the article. It seems only decent to do so. Now the "article", if you can call it that, seems so exploitive and is so sensationalized. As for the comments, they are absolutely sickening and makes me really question my faith in humanity. I feel terrible for the family. My DS was born the month as Quinn, I am in tears thinking about everything they are going through.

Message edited 3/3/2013 11:27:11 AM.

Write the Editors at People

I sent mine. I'm truly disgusted. This article and Perez Hilton's blurb is a disgrace.

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The comments make me sick to my stomach, and Perez Hilton's story is disgusting and in very poor taste. I wrote to the editors at People just now.

This family is so nice, and the situation breaks my heart. I can't believe how stupid some people are.

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I realize that this might cause drama since everyone else seems to be on the same page here, but I'm not sure I'm understanding what's wrong with the People article. It seems pretty innocently reporting the story to me, but I'm obviously missing something. This was the first I heard of the story, so maybe that's why I'm not getting it?

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Message edited 3/4/2013 5:20:47 AM.

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what issue was it in..I didn't read the article...but I would like to!

So sad what they are going through and I cannot believe people who can say such horrible things about people they do not know!

Re: Write the Editors at People

Posted by jlk51496

what issue was it in..I didn't read the article...but I would like to!

So sad what they are going through and I cannot believe people who can say such horrible things about people they do not know!