I think that Jaycee's public unveiling was orchestrated to maximize her recovery. She wishes to protect her minor children, who are also victims and they probably would like something that resembles a normal life once this dies down. I can fully understand the strategy.
Yes, she got paid for it. As well she should have. Jaycee has to take back control of her life. This is one of the best ways to go about that. It was reaching a breaking point, go public or go paparazzi, but the story was going to go, and soon. She kept her control, she managed the situation.
I'm sure that the need was seen for the story to break in a reputable publication, so that was done. And I'm sure that money is a concern, as the sheer amount of bills that will pile up from therapy alone is staggering. For some of these victims, there is the possibility of a civil suit down the line, but I don't see Jaycee going for that.
She is no longer a child, she is a woman that has been through a horrible prolonged ordeal. During that ordeal, she remained mentally sound, educated, socialized, polite, intelligent, and fully capable. I have no doubt that if she didn't approve of the money offered, or if she didn't feel that she was fully ready, she wouldn't have appeared.
The reasons behind this were not only to thank the public, that was one reason and it was the one given. The others, like the fact that she needs control to heal, have no need to be given.
In essence, People didn't use Jaycee, Jaycee used us to further her recovery.
jaycee even doing this means she is on her way to recovery. i dont care how much money she got. i hope she socked them for a ton in fact. and if 'using us' helps her recovery that's good too. im also certian she really is thankful for our support.