Posted on 01/24/2007 8:24:19 AM PST by Halls
CHESTERFIELD, Mo. - Shawn Hornbeck's parents hope "to step out of the spotlight" to focus on their abducted son's healing now that he has returned home.
That plan to take a lower profile was announced Tuesday during a news conference, as a suburban St. Louis homebuilder detailed plans to build a new house for Shawn and his parents, Craig and Pam Akers. The home will include office space for the Shawn Hornbeck Foundation, which Shawn's parents began as a means to aid in the search for missing kids soon after Shawn disappeared in 2002.
(Excerpt) Read more at belleville.com ...
The Akers have decided to end their active role in the Hornbeck foundation. The foundation struggles to keep afloat. Monies donated to Shawns family is in a trust fund controlled by attorneys. Monies donated have been earmarked for Shawns tutoring, counseling and therapy. The family has no control over the money nor do they know how much is being donated.
"Diamond noted that Shawn's parents have opted to end their active involvement with the foundation, making an office there potentially impractical. They explained that for now, they intend to concentrate solely on Shawn and the family."
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stlouiscitycounty/story/364A214A8E603B278625726D0016A282?OpenDocument
No. It's not "whatever." In your vitriolic, unsolicited fervor, you called me a liar. I don't respond well to that. Especially when I'm talking about something I've seen with my own eyes. Besides, I was responding with my opinion on the post -- not to anything you've spelled incorrectly. The first words you write you don't point our how I am mistaken. You call me a "liar." Well, I've seen these excuses for "parents" all over the television. There... I said it again. Now buzz off.
They did just announce that they were ending their involvement in the foundation to focus exclusively on Shawn's healing.
My original post was about NOT having him on Oprah so soon. As far as the trucks are concerned I guess you keep him in the house until the fanfair blows over. You do whatever to protect him.
I agree with you.
It's really scary that people take the time to comment on such unimportant things as this. It's just shameful.
"The article said their new home will include a home office from which to run their foundation."
That's true, but then the family told the builder they're stepping down form the foundation to focus on Shawn.
Ish-What I have posted is the actual headline before it was changed on FR.I don't think the actual headline supports your continued ranting about the changed headline.In fact, the poster would have been better off using the actual as they always should,But, none of this supports your position.
The actual headline:
"Police: Shawn Hornbeck forced to help in Ownby kidnapping"
I wonder how you would react to thinking your child (5th grade when kidnapped) were possibly dead only to find him alive after 4 plus years. I think you would be beaming also. Heaven forbid we find ourselves in the same situation someday. We really do not know exactly how we would react. Mistakes were no doubt made by the parents. It is done now. Being on Oprah did little damage compared to the damage the perv did to this child for 4 1/2 yrs. These boys need our prayers instead of condemnation. Let it be.
Crystal Gail Magnum
They are among the most petty things I have ever seen written! This man wasn't even Shawn's biological father. Yet he stood by his wife through what had to have been the most traumatic experience of her life. How many times do we hear about couples breaking up over the loss of a child? We just saw it in the Holloway case. This man dedicated the last four years of his life to searching for his wife's child. He gave up his job. They exhausted all their savings. His search for another missing child contributed to the deteriorating of a medical condition that forced him to lose his leg. And all these petty people can do is complain about the fact that Oprah's staff made them look good! It is a truly despicable display.
You need to be honest about modern media. They would sit there and snap photos at every perceived appearance of the poor boy. If he walked out to get in a car, they would shove microphones in his face.
If you thought he was a prisoner of the monster, what more of a prisoner would he become of the media? Then you reinforce the ideas that what he did was shameful because you are hiding him.
He has nothing to hide. They were trying to get out in front of the rumor mill the media will feed.
Just think of everytime President Bush has delayed responding: the Tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, Stem Cells. He has never gotten past some of those.
With all due respect, it seems you are the one being vitriolic. These "excuses" for parents sacrificed their careers, their savings and their health to search, not only for their son, but for other kids. Why don't you get down on your knees and thank God you have never experienced a tragedy that would put you on display to have people questioning your parenting skills?
Thank you Bonnie! I suppose Uber Freepers know better than the sheriff involved with the case. Your link deserves a separate thread.
I'm condemning neither the child nor the parents' motives, but only the parents' choice of forums to express their happiness. Though I' sure it's never crossed thier minds, people sometimes become rich from these tragedies. Let's wait and see.
Sorry. Last time I checked, this was an opinion forum. It is these parents who put themselves on display -- constantly, in fact. That was my point. Everyone can talk about "what I'd do" and how "nobody knows how they would behave." I know for a fact that I wouldn't be shoving my face onto every TV news show AFTER my child was recovered after four years. I would do so if my child were missing but not afterward.
That said, I don't respond well when the first thing someone says is that I'm a "liar." If you think that's the way to argue... well, fooey on you too.
Overdue.
--------------------------------------------------
The lesser of two evils is still an evil.
You are unable to listen or comprehend my statements. End of discussion.
Would you really have a problem if this family's material needs were addressed?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.