THE TRUTH IS.....

S o much happened before, during and after filming Trading Spouses. I have heard lots of concern and opinions from viewers. I can speak for me personally that what happened behind the scenes that were not aired was the true reality also. It's the missing scenes that would have knocked your socks off or taken your breath away!

The aftermath of the show was also reality and would capture an audience as well. In the end, we are just two families that shared only one angle of a million scenarios. It sure did capture your attention and cause a stir. That's a GOOD thing!

I am very sad about some personal issues that have occurred since the show and I am also very happy about the good ones, too. I have read on Margaret's website that she is talking about it without authority and it seems like so many are confused about it so I will now explain.

Since the show my children and I had to move for personal reasons. It was very hard on all of us. The truth is that Chris and I were not on the same page about raising our children. My children and I were not in our home...we were in someone else's. Chris and his kids were not as ready as they thought to welcome another mother and family into their lives. This caused confusion and friction. We tried so hard but in all fairness to my children and Chris' children it was best to raise our own families separately. This was the most difficult event in my life. We are heart broken and it was literally so difficult to function but I had to go on. I truly love Chris with all my heart. I learned that it is possible to be embraced in a home when I was in Louisiana with the Perrin's. However, I am not embraced by the Perrin's any longer from what I have learned as Margaret's interpretaton of the 'Dark Side'. It is very diffiuclt to blend two families together and Chris and I tried very hard. It is so much more difficult when you want so badly to spend the rest of your lives together but you can't. How hard is it? VERY!!

I have read on Margaret's website that she is speaking about a my personal life with not knowing anything about me. She has even claimed to her family that it was not the real me there. The real me is who I am, Jeanne Marie D'Amico. My stage name, Jade, was to be anoymous for my safety when I began my radio show 10 years ago without Chris. It is not her place to speak about my personal life after the show with topics she has no clue about. Caring about a person means not talking behind their back. Her comments are not appreciated which now prompted me to discuss openly. We all have our own values and reputations. I think that our personal business is not part of the show anymore. The show has ended. Our personal business now should not be part of Margaret's campaign. I wish her well and success but not at our expense. I would be happy to talk with Margaret anytime with complete kindness to answer her questions. I believe that together, myself and the Perrin' family and friends we made a positive impression that is memorable. It is sad that Margaret chose to end the goodness that we found in eachother via Trading Spouses. I believe in fate and that everything happens for a reason and I believe that for me it is a blessing to have met the Perrin's!

I also need to share with you that when Margaret and I met at the end of the show I was truly listening to what she was telling me. I was listening because she was VERY upset. She told me how much she was going to pray for me being with Chris because she wouldnt be able to do it. She was not kind talking about him which I truly resented her talking about my husband in that way and did not feel comfortable with what she was saying. I was also VERY concerned about what happened while I was away. I was actually wondering what she did to my family. She told me stories about what really went on between Chris and her. Her view. ALL OF THAT was edited out of the meeting that she and I had. She told me that she and Chris did not get along and she wanted to leave the first day and forfeit the money. She said she cried every day and wanted to go home. Chris was as kind as he could be with all that turmoil she was causing. Everyone heard Margaret's beliefs and the same respect should have been given. Again, letting people talk on their own would have gotten much better results. I wondered why she never asked about my family's opinions and beliefs with respect and kindness like she wanted. My kids were in her hands for many days dealing with that but I know they handled it well.

I really missed my family while I was away. Of course, I missed Chris so much, too. Unfortunately, he was very jealous the night before the filming started about who the other 'husband' was. His insecurity caused me pain. I could understand, but we KNEW this was going to be a part of the show. It was not my fault, as I didnt know either, who the other 'wife' was going to be. So I was not fuzzy and warm and needed to adjust to that and my concern for my family. I was really afraid when I came home.

Upon my arrival, I was overwhelmed with seeing the kids and Chris just having experienced meeting Margaret. That alone was overwhelming. I needed to know that my family was alright after hearing what Margaret said. She really frightened me. What you saw was my FEAR. I did not believe her in anyway...it was only my reaction to her. When I did intervene with any of my opinions of Ashley needing to have her own home with her daughter Abagail, she quickly did not accept my opinion and told me so in such an abrupt angry tone. I stayed quiet. There was no use trying to talk to her at that point where she was so upset. I had to listen to her opinions but she did not give ME the same courteousy.

It is with great sadness that I am not permitted to send my gifts to the Perrin family as I promised them. What was not shown was the oil painting that I did with the girls. I wanted to leave a painting that I did myself for them. I wanted Margaret to have this gift from my heart. I did not have a chance to finish it and brought it back with me to finish. I also had my children, since I returned, save the flip can tabs for Abagail. She was collecting a gallon of them for a chemotherapy treatment for a cancer child. I still have them and we still save them for her but I am told that if I sent the painting, the can tabs and gifts that Margaret would throw them away because they are from me and tainted. That hurt so much to hear. I am truly surprised that Barry and Ashley have not contacted me themselves and let me also speak with Brooke and Abagail. I loved spending time getting to know them. I spent quality time with them and truly miss them. It is on her website with her reply that Margaret telling her children that they didnt know the real me? Filling these children's head with that is wrong...very wrong. When I was with the Perrin's, friends and family there was so much talk about visiting eachother. They had my whole visit planned and what we were going to do. Ashley also invited my daughter, Emma, to be in her camp at her dance studio next summer for a week.

I don't understand why Margaret is afraid of me talking with her family. It can't be because of hypnosis. Ashley told me that her and Margaret had hypnosis tapes and tried them many times. Ashley asked me to do hypnosis for her to lose weight. So I am baffled if Margaret thinks that I am darksided. I am definitely in the light!

I am greiving that I can have no contact with her family which seems to be at her request. Margaret has called Chris twice since the show which I dont understand after hearing her true negative rage to me about him. She has painfully intruded herself to Chris and caused Chris to have such a negative distructive reaction towards me while we are trying to heal. She should really understand that was not her place to interfere with unwanted rumors. I am confused by such negative intentions. This was extremely invasive.

Now, on a happier note, since the show was filmed, I have also had major surgery to repair my second abdominal hernia and to prevent more hernias!

Now for an update on Emma and Elliot. Emma is thriving in her new school in Cambridge in 8th grade. She got straight A's on her report card. Elliot is in the 10th grade, and also got straight A's in all advanced classes. They work hard in school and enjoy the city life and their new friends.
My son Matthew is also doing very well. He's 19, working hard and definitely making some good choices.

Everyday is a new day!


LOVE & PEACE,

Jeanne
myjeanne@msn.com