I've always been wired for unfiltered truth, no matter who it offends.

You knew these people, and I didn't even know people who knew people who knew people who knew them. You loved them and thought they were wonderful, and I'm sure they were. Although there is the troubling story of Jennifer not being told who her real mother was, which you seem to confirm. That is very much NOT wonderful.
But however great Lyn Helton was, the (supposed) facts of the matter are that she ran away from home as a teenager, married a man who ran away from the army, once pregnant, ran away from that marriage, and when diagnosed with cancer, ran away from a possible life saving solution. There's an awful lot of running away in her story. I don't say that with any blame; I'm sure she has a background which set her up to do that. But no matter how you wish to sugar coat this, she was given a solution with a pretty decent chance of working, and she chose not to – with an infant daughter to raise. That's lousy. There was no guarantee, but it was worth a shot, she knew it, and re rejected it. To expect people to think that's brave is delusional.

I agree with you there, hasheart. I think it was terrible the way the book& to a lesser extent, the movieportrayed "Kate's" relationship with her mother.
Must have caused the real woman(the mother) so much pain, that the writers would pass her off as such a cold woman like that!!
Totus Tuus O Maria!!! Totus Tuus O Jesu!!!!

In my opinion, they made Kate/Lynn's mother to be so hateful that she wouldn't even be there for her dying daughter while in reality, she was there. Furthermore, they made it that Kate/Lynn's husband left her while she was dying in the hospital and he was there. I understand that this is a movie, but it isn't right to make the 2 very important people in Kate/Lynn's life a lie. in addition, making Kate/Lynn's husband study geology when in reality he was a fugitive from the FBI. I think if the movie showed what really happened to her tape recorder would have been much sadder and would show how bad her disease really was.

Hey Jim. Thanks for psoting the real story.

And thank you for coming here to tell us the true story of Lynn & Tom Helton, Jim. It was great to hear the true story.
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I guess you're right about me being a little touchy knowing Lynn and Tom, but people talking down to them because of the movie did make me angry! Some people were angry at Lynn because she didn't have her leg amputated. They had no idea about the medical technology at that time. She loved Jennifer very much without question! There were so many fictitious statements made in the movie; I had to tell the truth for them! I have communicated with Lynn's mother by email for several years and recently we have been talking by phone. We both agree it's time for Lynn to rest! I hope her memories live on through out history and no one ever forgets her! She was an amazing person! I am still getting emails in regards to the movie, Lynn, and the families that were affected. As of this date; I am no longer going to make post or answer any other emails. Again thank all of you for your love and concern for Lynn, Tom, and Jennifer Helton! See you on the other side!
Jim Lowe

Jim - I can understand why you would be upset with the film's accuracy considering you knew Lyn and Tom. It's ultimately not important that the film wasn't 100% accurate. What is important is the message within the story; the love a young mother has for her child. I haven't seen it in years but I recall leaving the film with an overall understanding of Lyn and of course sadness.
I felt the essence of Lyn, who was a beautiful, loving person. In that regard, the film was a success.

That’s the wrong Jennifer Helton. If you read the obituary, both sets of grandparents have different names—not Tom and Sue Helton. Jennifer married, but not to a man with that name, and her 19-year-old daughter is very much alive.

Tennessean!!!!!!!!!

A Gretsch player huh, Jim?! Which model was it and do you still have the guitar?

That's cool.
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