A year ago, when Nadya Suleman, a.k.a., "Octomom," gave birth to octuplets using in vitro fertilization while unemployed and undergoing foreclosure -- and despite already having six children -- many insisted she was being reckless.
But today, as the 34-year-old celebrates the first birthday of her octuplets in their home near Los Angeles, the general consensus -- based on information the unemployed Suleman has shared with the public -- seems to be "it could be worse."
Suleman's attorney, Jeff Czech, today told reporters that the six boys and two girls are "very healthy children," adding, "to my knowledge, there's no medical issues at all."
While it is true that one child, Jonah, has a cleft palate, Czech said he is not scheduled for any kind of surgery "at this time," according to CBS.com.
A year ago, Suleman also drew fire for the media's discovery that she was receiving government assistance. At this time last year, she was supporting her six children with food stamps and social security payments.
Now, she's able to pay the bills without help from the taxpayers, thanks, ironically, to the public's fascination with the story.
TODAYshow.com reports that she will receive $250,000 over the next three years for agreeing to take part in a one-hour documentary by Eyeworks of Europe.
She has also posed in a bathing suit, showing off her surprisingly slim physique for Star Magazine, and is working on a memoir.
Meanwhile, it might not be long before maternity dresses are brought to you by the brand "Octomom." Suleman has filed paperwork to trademark the word.
Owning rights to the name will allow her to use it to market clothing, diapers and her family on reality TV, according to the New York Daily News.
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Octomom, One Year Later: Are Things Looking Up?
Rob Kuznia -- HispanicBusiness.com
Source: HispanicBusiness.com (c) 2010. All rights reserved.
Total Comments: 19 | Pending Comments: 0
jalapenaroja
3/23/2010 10:51:38 PM PST
in the state of California there are people trying to survive by working hard, yet we have a very irresponsible person who has 6 and now 8 more..she gets to live off welfare and while the rest of us has to work hard.. she is only out to make money off those kids.. dr. phil bent over backwards to help her and didnt appreciate anything he did for her, and gloria alred woulldnt let the Octomom abuse the kids by the paparazzi...she needs to be held accountable like the rest of us and what did she do with all the money she earned from the pictures? Did she pay the house mortage or did she spend money on herself? She needs to be held not only accountable to herself, but to the people of the state of California, those of us who are losing jobs, homes and pay cuts. She is at home eating bonboms
reginac37
1/27/2010 9:19:22 AM PST
I too question why a single, unemployed mother of SIX would want EIGHT more babies. That was very irresponsible of her in many ways, BUT enough is enough...these babies are a BLESSING from GOD with or without Dr. Kamrava's help. I don't think it was her intention to have 8 babies and having gone thru IVF myself I understood the risk of multiples. It's a rare occasion that all transferred embryos will take. Thanks to Dr. Kamrava I too have a beautiful gift from God and she's now 7yrs old. It is not typical that a Doctor will question your income or mental status to undergo the IVF procedure...maybe this should now be the standard practice going forth for all fertility doctors. .Dr Kamrava is doing a wonderful thing for infertile couples and should not be condemned for it.
reginac37
1/27/2010 8:35:33 AM PST
I too question why a single, unemployed mother of SIX would want EIGHT more babies. That was very irresponsible of her in many ways, BUT enough is enough...these babies are a BLESSING from GOD with or without Dr. Kamrava's help. I don't think it was her intention to have 8 babies and having gone thru IVF myself I understood the risk of multiples. It's a rare occasion that all transferred embryos will take. Thanks to Dr. Kamrava I too have a beautiful gift from God and she's now 7yrs old. It is not typical that a Doctor will question your income or mental status to undergo the IVF procedure...maybe this should now be the standard practice going forth for all fertility doctors. .Dr Kamrava is doing a wonderful thing for infertile couples and should not be condemned for it.
GlynisBethel
1/26/2010 10:59:52 PM PST
GOD is good.
There is no way that I am going to believe that this woman has absolutely no strength marks after having eight babies in her womb and the pictures that I saw on the Internet. Her stomach looks like she has had a "Tummy Tuck." Come on, I am believing that this woman is lying.
melia
1/26/2010 10:56:12 PM PST
Happy birthday to the babies!
tamra0211
1/26/2010 10:45:15 PM PST
Leave her alone, it's not our issue is it?
buonaparte1
1/26/2010 10:05:34 PM PST
To be perfectly honest here: DON'T GET ME STARTED ON WHAT I THINK ABOUT THIS WOMAN! AND THE NETWORKS AND ANY OTHER ORGANIZATION/S STUPID ENOUGH TO GIVE HER ANYTHING. EVERY LAST CHILD SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN AWAY FROM HER, AND HER DR SHOULD AT MOST BE PUT IN JAIL FOR MALPRACTICE AND AT THE LEAST LOSE HIS LICENSE TO PRACTICE MEDICINE. WHATEVER ENDEAVORS SHE PURSUES, BELIEVE ME, I WILL NOT PATRONIZE ANY OF THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
old dude
1/26/2010 7:56:15 PM PST
They walk among us, and they breed.
Some people will do anything for that elusive "15 minutes of fame".
dada
1/26/2010 7:31:09 PM PST
How is it that she can remain unemployed and raise all those children alone? Nice country we live in when everyone else gets to pay for her kids!
jkyoohoo
1/26/2010 7:15:37 PM PST
Un F N believeable. This is why our country is in decline. At what point do we stop and say, "ok...this is irresponsible and needs to stop?" We cannot continue this pace of finding new and improved ways of being immorally out of sync with some form...some form of value.
Having children for sake of of having children in order to draw fame and attention in such a manner is repulsive. Nor is it our social responsibility to fund and or support such behavior, put them in the social light and elevate them to a level as some sort of leader.
What message are we sending the young? What message are we sending to our society? More importantly, why hasnt their been repercussions on this type of decision where Doctors and in this case a demented female, are toiling with life?
bdby4lf
1/26/2010 7:13:13 PM PST
good for her. sometimes we should just let things run its course before we put our 2 cents in. lets get in her corner and hope that she can be a great mother and be an inspiration to women who are struggling with only one child. if she can do it with 14, kudos. we just need to back the f..k up and let her live.
money
1/26/2010 7:06:01 PM PST
Hurray for you. You go girl. I am happy for you and the babies. I am tired of people judging you. They need to get a life. I can't hardly wait for your reality show
nursemary
1/26/2010 6:11:23 PM PST
She is a disgrace to the human race. Nobody wants to see this peice of trash. Those kids should be taken away from her. They deserve better!!!! You know you are trash if no TV show will air your story. Wake up every one a nd dont give her the time of day!!
NANNY ON THE SCENE
1/26/2010 5:53:07 PM PST
I am so proud of Nadya. She is making her own living and staying sane inspite of the public. She is a real trooper! THE BABIES are adorable. Luv you Nadya!
joemamma
1/26/2010 5:46:45 PM PST
i think this woman is very selfish. i mean she already had a few children,how is she honestly going to give each of theese children,there individual time? she would have to have arms like an octopus! shes lucky shes not in another state,she could be arrested for this! i have three children,and still give them as much time as i can give them,i know theres no way she is doing this on her own!!
lisainoc
1/26/2010 4:58:37 PM PST
This woman used her womb as a cash-cow. She seems to be lauded now for having a slim figure - the least of her problems being weight after her careless and irresponsible behavior. She was fully aware of what she was getting into, the publicity, etc. She is worse than women who sell their eggs for $$, because she is a self-serving, selfish opportunist who brought innocent lives into the world to be used as fodder for the media and her own nefarious purposes. I wish the children well, but pray she doesn't have another child or run into another such "doctor." Further, the woman needs a thorough psychiatric examination. Anyone in her financial circumstances who would bring so many mouths to feed into the world and expect others to open up their wallets should be committed.
hercfe
1/26/2010 4:56:32 PM PST
So retiredVet, are you really any better for trying to win your way onto a tv show by exploiting your Vet status? It is a disgusting reality that people all over America are exploiting any thing they can in order to get money or other material things. I've served through 3 wars, and sadly all I want is to live a happy life. Apparently I cannot keep up with the rest of the American public. It saddens me that a Veteran would use that status as a crutch for something so trivial.
What about the thousands of Veterans that only want a roof over their head, or a warm meal? Perhaps their status should also give them the right to some brand new Tommy jeans(or whatever is currently trendy) and a TV spot.
I am sickened by this attitude, and sickened with Americans for this wanton behavior.
retired vet
1/26/2010 4:16:12 PM PST
It makes me wonder that now a days you have to give birth to multiple kids being married or single to get attention and get paid for thse births...like the Duggers, Gosslins and now the Octomom...I spent two wars and numerous years defending this country and I have requested just a make over from one of the shows and allI get out of it is ignored...and statements like good job and thanks for serving your country do I have to adopt numerous kids or find multiple kids in order to get a make over?
Motherof2
1/26/2010 4:05:40 PM PST
I think she had made the best of this situation remember she couldn't have gotten into this without the doctors help. I wish here and the family the best of luck and that she remembers that telling the truth is always the best way to go.
Best of luck
