It appears we're not the only ones up early this morning surfing the Web!! Gina, and most likely Paul, have been hard at work emailing the boards involved to have all remnants of "Pepe" and this story removed.
Kudos to our anonymous Troll Annihilator who put in the hours this morning spreading the word as "chipngraceisafake". Job well done.
We are currently researching online fraud lawyers in the Minnesota and greater Chicago areas. When an acceptable candidate is found, we will release their information, so those who suffered monetary fraud can pursue reimbursement.
It's a shame there's no compensation for emotional fraud.
Gina will never be "in the clear," no matter how many crocodile tears she sheds, or times she succeeds in covering her tracks. Her name is branded here. Her story will live on this site, as will the truth of "Friends of Pepe."
When future employers Google her name, they will see this. Old classmates, childhood friends, church members, parents, grandparents? They will find her name, their shame, here. Unless proven innocent.
Please spread the word, and link, and keep this blog traveling. Pepe had many admirers, and the more ears we reach, the better.
104 comments:
I hope that they will be prevented by these boards from removing their fraudulent posts. Someone needs to CAPTURE this information FAST!
I would like the owner of this blog to step forward, if you're so worried about outting a fraud, please set up and identify yourself rather than being a troll as well. For now, I still stand by Pepe and Paul.
I am still waiting for proof....
The information has been captured. It was all captured yesterday.
OMG! Proof? What do you want? There hands in the damn cookie jar? Go back and reread everything! Thats all I need!! That and a lawyer!!!
ok - so give us some proof.
How do they remove traces of themselves from these other boards? Can't we notify these other boards of the need to retain this information for potential legal action?
you will hang these people on one person's word?
How about you, Gina, coming clean on the fact that you don't have any disease and spend a lot time on UDBB chatting about your super-duper-low-level eventing skills?
You look healthy as a horse to most of us, and could drop a few kilos and give your horse's lungs a break.
well - if these people are so "innocent" - why are they closing their blogs?
A thought: How about alerting the local media? I think this would be *right* up someone's alley about internet scams. I also went back and found the day thirty-three post, where supposedly someone at Pepsi sent Gina a care package, so there is a national angle.
Anyone in Minnesota who can work on this?
And this is clearly a financial crime, as there was money involved. Not just emotional fiction
http://www.clamshellmuni.org/
Paul's website; blog is down. rest of site is working.
interesting - his website was down earlier this morning.
Is it possible that Gina may have been duped as well - with an internet relationship? It's Paul's sites that are down.
That was heavily debated before she was outed, but no. Her sites went down first. Her picture sites, then myspace and YouTube right behind it, just a few hours after Friends of Pepe went down.
We could find no link between Paul and her myspace or YouTube.
http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cache:1xHOfSXliAwJ:friendsofpepe.blogspot.com/+friendsofpepe+August+08&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us&client=firefox-a
http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:Ny_fVKR0XisJ:friendsofpepe.blogspot.com/2008/02/down-time.html+%22Friends+of+pepe%22+gina+peanut&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=us
http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:hpImj4R1PHEJ:friendsofpepe.blogspot.com/2008/07/day-seven.html+%22Friends+of+pepe%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=us
The photos listed at the page referenced above are not Gina and I beleive it's Paul who has the name Clamshellmuni
http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:rOOnZ9piccsJ:friendsofpepe.blogspot.com/2008/06/advice.html%3FshowComment%3D1214272560000+%22Friends+of+pepe%22+cystic+fibrosis&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=3&gl=us
In digging a little deeper myself, I see that donations were being taken by Paul at the following address
2462 West Estes, Chicago, IL 60645
and ALSO by Nancy Doyle at the same address. I don't see enywhere were it said to send donations to Gina or Pepe.
Ok - I guess I didn't realize that Paul maintained Clamshellmuni AND Friends of Pepe -
http://www.blogger.com/profile/02950461985225305411
and if you do a reverse lookup on that address, you find that there is a Nancy and Paul Tabor there.
http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:b9H1pUtiAkQJ:friendsofpepe.blogspot.com/2007/12/christmas-day-from-pepe.html+clamshellmuni&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=9&gl=us
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10831338@N02/
This has pictures of Pep
Anonymous at 6:14 had a great point. We should see if there really was someone from pepsi who sent the package and if so, these scumbags duped them. The local media would love a story like this. I for one believe downwiththetrolls. Read all the evidence and decide for yourself. Too fishy. Shame on them! I hope they are nervous wrecks right now.
Michelle in Mass
http://www.ultraguest.com/view/1207239851
http://www.transplantbuddies.org/tbx/messages/5/25989.html?1218790858
"Q" posted this comment today...
This is all so weird.
-Meg
Ican't believe my eyes when I discovered this...It looks like I have been vindicated. I first brought this to everyone's attention at cf.com, stating that I questioned that the person posting as Pepe was really her. I have worked in hospitals for 30 yrs. and I have never seen someone as "sick" and "dying" as "gina" was, get on the internet and chat it up with people...To think that this Gina--caused all the problems at the cf.com site, makes me sick...
Terri
http://clamshellmuni.org/guestbook/
Apparently you've never met Gina - quiet, reserved, giving, trusting, just look at the pictures, of the girl on the horse (Gina)and the others - Pepe and Paul - do they look like they would travel in the same circles!? It's too bad she's gotten duped into this as her confidence has come along ways in the time I've known her - this is going to bring her down big time!
http://chicago.metblogs.com/2007/05/29/benefit-for-paul-mooney/
http://www.myspace.com/lungsforlife
I received an email from Paul Mooney; I had donated to him and asked for a refund. Here is what he said:
I understand the uncertainty of donating anything to a stranger. I appreciate the original intent. Please keep in mind that my fundraising has nothing to do with Pepe. She doesn't need to raise funds. Via my blog, I haven't even pursued online fundraising myself since I got home -- but only because the medical news has been mostly negative, and I've preferred to keep the depressing stuff on the down-low from both Pepe and my family. Hence, the cessation of my updates. I also thought my homecoming was a fitting and positive ending, at least for now.
So you know, I started FOP as a way for our friends to be able to buy Pepe a Wii for Christmas. After, ppl who helped wanted to know how she liked it, how she was doing, etc. And from there it became popular because her story was compelling. No one took any money out of the site except to buy the Wii. The change went to the CF Research Institute with a matching donation from some of us in Pepe's name. After that, I took the "donate" option off the page, because I didn't want it to be about money.
I don't feel I owe any explanations regarding Pepe's identity or integrity. I can see how people might wonder what the "scam" is behind the blog, but in fact it was innocent. It also became a good resource for anyone getting involved in transplant, because Pepe experienced just about every possible obstacle. Despite what her critics say, this isn't even unusual. Those of us in the CF/Tx world seem to each know many people with similar stories. I just happened to write Pepe's because I was in a position to do so. Maybe it was too disturbing to be believed.
Anyway, thanks for the explanation. I can't effectively fight false claims except one person at at time, so I appreciate you're hearing me out.
Regards,
Paul
OK - according to this:
http://www.stathanasius-evanston.org/chimes/22%20June%203%202007.pdf
Paul Mooney is the nephew of Nancy and Bob Doyle
Maybe Paul's illness is valid, still does not answer the pepe question....
So, who is WRONG in this? Paul Mooney clearly was keeping up the clamshellmuni blog AND Friends of Pepe - his illness APPEARS to be valid. Why would he do the Friends of Pep thing?
So sorry for the girl that got taken by the Heifer and her Pond Scum Boyfriend.
I hope she realizes that Identity theft isn't limited to financial theft.
Time for the police to be called.
Some explaining. She should call the police immediate.
After seeing the letter from Paul Im just more confused than ever. IS there a Pepe and if so is she sick and in the hospital? Im getting increasingly aggravated over the whole deal at this point.
Nathan (cf husband) is a peach but Im really troubled that now he's saying "I doubted her story from the start". Why link to her blog then? Half the reason people know about FOP is because of Confessions of a CF husband. I'm sorry but when much is given much is expected. I find it upsetting to have thousands of readers funnelled to a site that told a story that N felt unsure of regarding its validity. I think Im just done with both of them and I pray for them all.
I'm assuming they were trying to draw more attention to the cause and used Gina's horse pics for more of a down home look. I mean would you rather support a young woman who looks like she has a future ahead of her or someone who looks like Paul? It does look like Paul may in fact be ill, it's too bad this wasn't all researced before things got out of hand with this blog and internet postings. I would really like to know the "owner" of this blog! Brave enough to point fingers - but not brave enough to admit who they are. That alone tells me there's very little to believe here.
http://katelynharlow.blogspot.com/2008/04/gina.html
I also found this comment by "Clamshellmuni" on another blog. He is either promoting the FOP website or pretending not to know her here...not sure which.
-Meg
These attacks are extremely sad and extremely disturbing!!!
Do those questioning Paul and Pepe even have CF? Are you effected by CF in your family? Maybe this is some of your first experiences with cf, through this blog and Nate's. That's fine, but just acknowledge the fact that you are learning what some Cfers go through. Everyone's path can be quite different then the next. I have CF, have not been through transplant yet, and am trying to grasp what she is going through, which is why she shines like the brave and strong lady she is.
I might just add that most CFers I've run across don't try to get attention. That's actually the last thing they/we want because it's negative attention based on poor health. I think this blog offers the opportunity to support Pepe through this extremely intense and trying time as well as sharing her experience for others to learn from and take in, for fellow CFers, caretakers and non-CFers alike.
I for one, have talked to Paul, who writes this blog for Pepe, many times. We've been talking for over 1 year (yes on the phone), and he has had only the best of intentions for Ms. Pepe. I've conversed with Pepe in chat (on CF sites) and she is as remarkable as you have thought all along.
I think the efforts of that one coward anony trying to throw a curve ball in this blog is pathetic. Why spend so much time on her blog and cause so many waves, and intentionally try to bring someone's spirits down so far? Why? What is your story? Actually, I really don't care to know. There are way more important things to tend to. All I can say to you is 'karma'.
And Terri (KG) -- for someone who tries to be or look so caring for the cf community, you've shown some very sad colors. Wow.
Obviously her blog HAD to be changed to invite only. Can you imagine them both fighting all you guys in email fashion while they are both dealing with Tx issues, etc? Geeesh! Think as you want, Pepe goes on fighting the big fight, all her friends who have talked with her before and have been following her health for years now as well as Paul will all just move on from this mess.
--CowTown
That IS bizarre the comment he leaves on http://katelynharlow.blogspot.com/2008/04/gina.html
It gives much LESS credibility to the supposed "email" he sent to someone above. He said:
"Very thoughtful note about an amazing girl. Could you post the link to Gina's page? "
YET - he is the OWNER of "Friends of Pepe"
I have CF.
And all I have to say is "karma" to "Gina" and whoever else is behind this disgusting facade.
And sorry, there is not a singular "coward anon." Many, many people have seen through this farce. Funny how Youtube, Myspace and photo sites showing a large Gina on Gracie suddenly disappeared. Evidence is being destroyed. Period. Funny how "Pepe" looks like a woman on Myspace named "Mia." Funny how Mia is Gina's best friend.
http://useventing.com/competitions.php?section=calendar&page=results&event=13496
It appears she spells her name "Fiorentino"
Terri (KG) - here I thought it was you who was running this site since you were #1 on the spot to call Gina out and all, you little P.I. (g) you. So since it isn't you, I wish the real
"owner" would step forward. Clearly you're disturbed by this, though I am no sure why. I am sure you never gave Gina any money because she never asked for any. And if you bought something from Paul's auctions you'd know that it was legitimate.
As with Cowtown, I am good friends with Paul, and I choose to stand behind him despite your best efforts to hurt him and those he cares for.
wanderlost
I feel the need to say something. I don't know anything about this topic, but I do know someone has gone out of their way to defame Gina. Posting her name and photos and accusing her of fraud on the www. All under the veil of anonymity. If there is proof of Gina defrauding people on the internet, then I believe that is a crime and the proper thing to do would be to put it to the legal system, not try and convict her on a blog. In my opinion, this is an act of cowardice and cruelty. She can't defend herself against inflammatory charges made by an anonymous individual. This is a frightening thing for me to witness because it could happen to any of us.
I'm sure fellow frequent readers of the blog will recall Gina's best friend "Blake"...now who the hell is that??
Wow--awesome that you captured the FOP pages! Excellent work!
I found a newspaper in Saint Michael, MN, and emailed them about this. Waiting for a response.
Fabulous detective work, when we all get together! Thanks for starting this blog so that we can work together to "out" these trolls, as you say. Way worse than conning money out of people is the massive deception. It's just sick.
PS there is nothing wrong with being anonymous--those of you who are writing in saying,
"I would like the owner of this blog to step forward, if you're so worried about outting a fraud, please set up and identify yourself rather than being a troll as well."
YOU ARE ANONYMOUS yourself!!!! so obviously you can't call someone else out for it when you do it!!
http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:PP3jYvv3xvQJ:www.occupationaltherapist.com/forum/messageview.cfm%3Fcatid%3D5%26threadid%3D34764+Gina+%22Cystic+Fibrosis%22+%22friends+of+pepe%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us
Day 9
http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:O17v2iBWK6sJ:friendsofpepe.blogspot.com/2008/07/day-nine.html+Gina+%22Cystic+Fibrosis%22+%22friends+of+pepe%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=4&gl=us
CowTown, Could you give more information please? Do you know for SURE that you were talking to Paul on the phone, or chatting with Gina? Because as we are all seeing, people can say anything when it isn't face to face. It certainly seems like overwhelming evidence that there never was a Pepe going through all this misery. Can you tell what you know for positive--I mean verifiable facts?
Day 22 -
http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:qW7ULAdvAh8J:friendsofpepe.blogspot.com/2008/07/day-twenty-two.html+Gina+%22friends+of+pepe%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=us
Time will tell the truth. It is just unfortunate that this entire story has taken this turn. There are many valid stories out there in blogland that are handled with respect. Whether the story of Pepe / Gina ends up being true or not, it makes us all a little more wary of what we read and believe. I for one will just wait for the truth and hope it brings resolution to many.
Sandra,
Do you know Gina/Pepe personally? I haven't found anyone yet who has actually seen a "Gina" in the hospital--or at least seen her family. As someone said, most CFers don't want the publicity.
It really seems obvious to me that this is all a fiction.
I'm so sorry that the CF community is going through this. I know Gina and this is not the first time that she has faked an illness for attention and sympathy. She's a very messed-up young lady and I hope that this blowup will push her to finally seek the help that she obviously needs.
To the poster right above me:
Which Gina has done this before? Is it the chunky girl on the horse, or the thin, young one whose picture is posted as being "Pepe?" Do you know what the deal is with Paul? Who is he, and how related to Pepe/Gina? What else has she done before?
Thanks for any additional info you can give.
You all need to calm down. This is amazing. Paul, Gina (pepe) and Blake are close friends. Those are three different people. Why is it mysterious that Paul has a picture of Pepe as well as some of her drawings on his flickr page? They're friends, and he's been by her side for years supporting her as her health was declining.
I helped Paul with his clamshellmuni web site, I put it together for him, and I helped situate the donation parts for him. I started it while I was in the hospital, it was a fun thing to focus on for me. His site has nothing to do with Pepe. He wanted to raise some funds for himself through CF tshirts (which I helped with) to help eleviate some tx expenses since he was in the hospital and hotel for something like 8 months. He raised some money, certainly not even enough to make dent in his expenses during that time and we only shared that info through the cf site and friends and family. What's wrong with that? When you guys get your tx, you might think of raising some funds to help too.
To anony at 9:14am, yes I was talking to Paul himself. I even talked with his mom who was visiting him in the hotel while he was waiting for his call. He was too sick some days to discuss web site stuff, so I called her directly. I experienced hearing his shallow voice for months, getting worse, I tried to boost his spirits during those months, then talking to him minutes before he went in for his tx surgery. After he recovered, his voice was strong, his laughter was clear, it was awesome. The whole time, he was so concerned with Pepe. He wanted so bad for her to get her chance just like he was finally getting. This is a sincere relationship. He wrote a song for Pepe, which was on his clamshellmuni site. That was last year sometime -- well before the FOP blog was even thought of. There's obviously a lot you guys don't know about these people b/c this has been a long road.
Pepe never asked for money. Paul, being the good friend that he is wanted to raise some money for her last xmas. So some, me included, contributed a little towards a wii. I was happy to do so! That was it, and it was b/c of her friends wanting to brighten her spirits. It was surprise for her, she didn't even know about it going on. It's incredible that I'm even explaining all this.
--CowTown
To cowtown and wanderlost, I do not question Paul (Q'S) identity at all. I know he is what he is--I say a myspace he had before he had his clamshell blog. He is the same person in the myspace picture, which was a different picture. (I had searched the myspace for other cfr myspace sites.) So I KNOW he truly has cf. The person I question is Gina. I will state again--it is a physically impossible for someone who had been through what "gina" had been thru--being so sick for over a year--being tecnically dead, getting two lungs trx, being in surgery for over 15 hours, and then to be blogging and chattin within 3-4 days, especially after being vented so much. It just doesnt add up.
And I cared for Gina--until I was turned upon in chat because of something I said about Blake and from THAT simple 4 word innocent statement--I was told that I didnt care about Gina--when everybody knows that the site is my heart. Just because I dont believe the person representing Gina is the real Gina--that doesnt make me not caring of the rest of the cf community--I just dont believe the gina story anymore.
Funny, Blake's blog was "chippedawy, does that sound like "chippengrace? Where is Blake in all this--who is she? I just know that something is not right here...
It's easy to talk to someone on the phone..that doesn't make them real...
Funny, I stood by Jeanne and was trashed, so I can understand you standing by your "friends"...I for one will not call names, or say hateful things--as was done to Jeanne when she moved the Pepe thread to a hospital section...
kg
CowTown, Which one is Gina? Is she really still in the hospital waiting for a second lung transplant? Have you met her? We are just trying to figure out who the imposter is--I still haven't heard any explanation for what all is going on. So if you know Paul personally, maybe that just means that he has been duped, too.
Anyway, what is wrong with explaining? That is all that people have been asking for, is some clarification. You have to admit that it is a VERY bizarre situation--and these things don't just pop up on their own. there has to be some reason behind it. See, we have you saying you know Paul and then we have others saying that Gina has done this kind of thing before. They may be separate people, but they are definitely connected, and something is wrong somewhere. Why do you say that you "Can't believe you are having to explain this?" Why would you not want to?
Day 12
http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:3n6C129kuBcJ:friendsofpepe.blogspot.com/2008/07/day-twelve.html+pepe+site:friendsofpepe.blogspot.com&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=87&gl=us
The Triple Crown
http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:9cjxezQ7YjEJ:friendsofpepe.blogspot.com/2008/06/triple-crown.html%3FshowComment%3D1214637720000+pepe+site:friendsofpepe.blogspot.com&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=85&gl=us
Day 18
http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:CZ7EmFdci1MJ:friendsofpepe.blogspot.com/2008/07/day-eighteen.html%3FshowComment%3D1216666260000+pepe+site:friendsofpepe.blogspot.com&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=84&gl=us
Intentions:
http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:kA8KazbsGakJ:friendsofpepe.blogspot.com/2008/07/intentions.html+pepe+site:friendsofpepe.blogspot.com&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=82&gl=us
Day 8
http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:4I6hl5bltXsJ:friendsofpepe.blogspot.com/2008/07/day-eight.html+pepe+site:friendsofpepe.blogspot.com&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=83&gl=us
The Miracle: From a relative of a CF'er - this is the MOST unbelievable post of all
http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:BlMSECtODNAJ:friendsofpepe.blogspot.com/2008/07/miracle.html%3FshowComment%3D1215138900000+pepe+site:friendsofpepe.blogspot.com&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=77&gl=us
Day 21:
http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:BlMSECtODNAJ:friendsofpepe.blogspot.com/2008/07/miracle.html%3FshowComment%3D1215138900000+pepe+site:friendsofpepe.blogspot.com&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=77&gl=us
Day 20:
http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:wiRITyUBL8IJ:friendsofpepe.blogspot.com/2008/07/day-twenty.html+pepe+site:friendsofpepe.blogspot.com&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=79&gl=us
Day 37:
http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:ao7kx4TUsKoJ:friendsofpepe.blogspot.com/2008/08/day-thirty-seven.html%3FshowComment%3D1218224040000+pepe+site:friendsofpepe.blogspot.com&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=80&gl=us
Day 29:
http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:ONK3DEVgSqkJ:friendsofpepe.blogspot.com/2008/07/day-twenty-nine.html+pepe+site:friendsofpepe.blogspot.com&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=81&gl=us
Truth:
http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:R0F-DOk__OYJ:friendsofpepe.blogspot.com/2008/06/truth.html+pepe+site:friendsofpepe.blogspot.com&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=76&gl=us
Not good:
http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:ZR7j-pf1gV0J:friendsofpepe.blogspot.com/2008/04/not-good_25.html%3FshowComment%3D1209177000000+pepe+site:friendsofpepe.blogspot.com&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=75&gl=us
Day 5:
http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:R0WJj5--UV4J:friendsofpepe.blogspot.com/2008/07/day-five.html%3FshowComment%3D1215444180000+pepe+site:friendsofpepe.blogspot.com&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=74&gl=us
Day 11:
http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:w814f04WibAJ:friendsofpepe.blogspot.com/2008/07/day-eleven.html%3FshowComment%3D1215959580000+pepe+site:friendsofpepe.blogspot.com&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=73&gl=us
Day 23:
http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:xASA2d4ocXMJ:friendsofpepe.blogspot.com/2008/07/day-twenty-three.html+pepe+site:friendsofpepe.blogspot.com&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=72&gl=us
The Week After:
http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:RSLKgPfJzpcJ:friendsofpepe.blogspot.com/2008/06/week-after.html+pepe+site:friendsofpepe.blogspot.com&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=71&gl=us
Day 6:
http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:RSLKgPfJzpcJ:friendsofpepe.blogspot.com/2008/06/week-after.html+pepe+site:friendsofpepe.blogspot.com&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=71&gl=us
THIS could be easily verified:
http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:BydYmcxmJlkJ:friendsofpepe.blogspot.com/2008/01/ginas-intention-for-remaining-funds.html+pepe+site:friendsofpepe.blogspot.com&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=59&gl=us
Twists and Turns:
http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:jCfMYh9xhmEJ:friendsofpepe.blogspot.com/2008/01/twists-and-turns.html%3FshowComment%3D1200074640000+pepe+site:friendsofpepe.blogspot.com&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=57&gl=us
Day 43:
http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:4cDqURrgPZkJ:friendsofpepe.blogspot.com/2008/08/day-forty-three.html%3FshowComment%3D1218684240000+pepe+site:friendsofpepe.blogspot.com&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=55&gl=us
I'm not able to open any of these links that anon. is posting, can anyone help?
I thought "Chippedaway" sounded familiar-- she's a member of emetophobia.org.
Name is Gina, she likes horses, has fokti/jedisdream listed as her homepage, etc... Hmm.
I thought I saw her with a "rest in peace, Blake" type of signature once on the forums, but I could be imagining things.
Sad stuff. :(
I posted earlier and said that I knew Gina. The Gina that I know is the one in the photos with the horses. I've never met Paul; I've only heard Gina talk about her boyfriend who's an English professor in Chicago.
When I first came to know Gina, she claimed to be in and out of the hospital often-- I never asked why, and I don't recall if she claimed a certain illness. She was a major factor in the implosion and closing of the AcmePet forums due to her lies being found out.
Chipped Away is a show name that she was considering for her horse Chip.
Anonymouse at 10:02--to open, cut and paste that address into your browser window--they aren't hyperlinked
Copy and paste the link below into your browser:
http://tinyurl.com/6b32s4
When the page comes up, select the "cached" versions. You will be able to see the cached versions of MOST of the posts from the friendsofpepe blog.
Lands sake! I forgot about the AcmePet boards!
Yes - Blake supposedly passed some time ago.
For those who still doubt Gina is capable of these scams, please go back a few years on the CF site. 5-6 years? I believe the police were involved at that time due to threats of acts of violence. But since she was underage, not much came of it.
to KG, per your comment,"It's easy to talk to someone on the phone..that doesn't make them real..." I have seen Paul with my own eyes, face to face - and to anyone else who doubts his legitimacy, I stand behind him 100%As a person with Cf, I know what another person with Cf looks and acts like. Paul has CF; Paul had a tx.
- I do want to add to KG, that I do apologize for my words earlier, nastiness is not what will solve this issue for my friend.
-wanderlost
Please read:
http://saltyandsweet.org/2008/08/15/she-is-just-trying-to-live/
Please read:
http://saltyandsweet.org/2008/08/15/she-is-just-trying-to-live/
I do know Gina. I know nothing about illness, but I don't know Gina intimately. I am terribly offended by this action. If there is evidence that Gina broke the law, deal with it through the proper channels. Character assination on the internet by an anonymous poster is not the way to do this. Has anyone given any thought to the effect this could be having on Gina. She is a vulnerable person and this is an evil thing to do to her.
what is the address of the cf site?
Cowtown and Wanderlost--Do you have a take on what the heck is going on? In your opinion, what started the whole thing and why? Do you know why there is such confusion over who's who? Which girl had the transplant--the Gina in the pics with the horses or the Gina whose face was on the FOP site? Why was it so suddenly ended in the first place? That's what stunned me--to go through all these months caring about this girl and praying for her, and to have the site suddenly shut down with no explanation--that seemed really wrong to do that to people who were cultivated to be part of this community.
Sandra said...
I do know Gina. I know nothing about illness, but I don't know Gina intimately. I am terribly offended by this action. If there is evidence that Gina broke the law, deal with it through the proper channels. Character assination on the internet by an anonymous poster is not the way to do this. Has anyone given any thought to the effect this could be having on Gina. She is a vulnerable person and this is an evil thing to do to her.
You must be joking. It's ok for her to lie and ask for money but it's not ok for people to make comments on the internet?
Paul is a real person, Kimm (kbm) has met him in person, she took the quilt we bought him to him. Like I said, I saw his picture on his myspace with his O2 on--I believe he is who he says he is.
TERRI
Hello, there is a website which is called the Way back machine. If you put a web address in you can see what that website looked like in the past. the link is http://www.archive.org/index.php I hope its of help
http://www.healthboards.com/boards/search.php?searchid=7032503
Gina claiming to have been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at the age of 21?
I am utterly shocked and amazed at this blog and feel that I need to weigh in with my 2 cents. I'm the kbn (kbm) that terri referred to in a previous comment. I have known Paul for four plus years. We have spoken by phone more times than I can count. We have met in person 3 times, twice prior to his transplant when he was dependent on oxygen. I visited him at the center where he had his transplant 3 weeks after his surgery for several days, staying with his mother. He is who he says he is. Paul has lost countless hours of sleep staying on the phone with Gina overnight to keep her company while she sits in the ICU, panicky. Please don't attack him-- if you are all victims, then he is the biggest one here.
kbn
Wow. so now "Blake" has the same online identities, too? Blake is also Gina? Wow. I don't think anyone can accuse all of us, who think this is all a fraud, of jumping the gun. I do believe Paul has CF, I don't doubt that one bit....but I'd like to know who duped who in this whole scenario.
Just adding to what KBN said....Paul obviously has CF. He obviously was dealing with his own health issues and doesn't appear to have been in the same city as Gina. Being that all the evidence showing Gina is actually out riding her horses all day, comes directly from Gina's online accounts, and she's the one who's out destroying evidence, I really wonder if he's the one who got duped. If he did all this in good faith, and she sent him the other girl's pic, etc.
A post by ChippedAway on these boards:
http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?p=1820132#post1820132
Wow, I read this post and really see myself in you all. I'm 21, almost 22, and am 5'4" and tonight was 243 on the scale. I'm disgusted with myself.
I am happy and confident for the most part, but I ride horses and show and sometimes when I'm riding my horse in the ring I imagine people saying "that poor horse has to carry that fatass around". I have a young horse that I put in training because I feel I am too heavy to train him myself, even though I am great at horse related stuff like that.
I have stomach problems that make me nauseous almost 24/7, yet I still find myself eating to make myself feel better, crackers, etc what not. Crackers seem pretty harmless, but its when you keep eating them, with a slice of bread here and there, they add up quick.
It seems like I am always thinking about food, planning what I'll have next, wh at I'm in the mood for, what I wish I ahd. Wish I could stop that!
I was just diagnosed with cystic fibrosis last fall (late diagnosis) and most people who have this disease have trouble keeping weight on, not me! I feel really chicken about this whole thing, I like I just need to cowgirl up and do it. I get the motivation, it's definitely there, but then it's like before I know it I've ate a snack and not realized it!
I am a picky eater too, I don't like fruit at all (except orange juice, apple juice and apple sauce), I don't like vegetables unless its in soup. Salad makes me gag, I've tried to eat it, but I can't do it. I'd love to be able to sit down and have a salad.
Blog Administrator:
You said you contacted the real girl whose picture was being portrayed as "Gina." Have you heard back from that person? Have you also used any of the emails Pepe/Chipngrace/Chippedaway/Jedisdreams has on all the boards to contact her? Curious if you are awaiting a response from any of those emails....
I just wanted to bump a comment that someone left earlier in this post.
"That IS bizarre the comment he leaves on http://katelynharlow.blogspot.com/2008/04/gina.html
It gives much LESS credibility to the supposed "email" he sent to someone above. He said:
"Very thoughtful note about an amazing girl. Could you post the link to Gina's page? "
YET - he is the OWNER of "Friends of Pepe"
August 15, 2008 8:33 AM"
What does everyone think of this? Doesn't make sense. I'm not so sure about Paul. Seems like he makes a point of NOT smiling in pictures.
Is this Gina in a picture posted on Paul's (or at least a friend's) FLICKR site? Looks like the picture of Gina that you posted on this site where she's on the horse. A picture of Pepe is on there as well if you look around through his photos.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10831338@N02/1007689609/in/set-72157601241174742/
Maybe it is because I am tired, and sad, and mad over all of this--but THIS is what this whole fraudulent episode cost our site, and it hurts...
This is the post that started it:
http://forums.cysticfibrosis.com/messageview.cfm?catid=5&threadid=35172&enterthread=y
And this is the "flame" post that ended what had been a "family", at our site:
http://forums.cysticfibrosis.com/messageview.cfm?catid=5&threadid=35187&STARTPAGE=1&FTVAR_FORUMVIEWTMP=Linear
All because of this little cruel "game" that was played...I hope that justice will be done to all of those who were a part of this...
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