Personal Stories Archives - Page 6 of 35

Crisis pregnancy center worker speaks out

A woman who works at a crisis pregnancy center wrote:

“….we provide all services for free. They are for low-income pregnant and parenting women. We have free baby clothes, toddler clothes, shoes, maternity clothes, pregnancy tests, breast pumps, nursing bras, diapers, baby wipes, bottles, baby/toddler dishes, formula, food, toys, books, car seats, strollers, cribs, cradles, jumpers, and any other pieces of furniture or big toys when we get them. I have seen pretty much anything you can think of that deals with pregnancy or parenting, come into the clinic. We also give referrals to various social services, such as WIC…..

We don’t make them pay a single cent, unlike places like Planned Parenthood. So we truly offer purely free items for struggling families. Taking clinics like this away from all the people we have serviced, or trying to make it harder for us to provide these free items, is a gross attack on lower class people, especially since places like Planned Parenthood don’t bother to give *any* of these baby/toddler/maternity items to needy women. In fact you won’t find baby clothes or diapers or strollers or anything like that at any abortion clinic. Planned Parenthood doesn’t help you plan your parenthood at all, it just tries to eliminate it for you.

It takes a ton of privilege to be able to tell people that because you want every clinic that helps women to provide abortions, poor women aren’t allowed to have free baby supplies…

There is a lot of racial diversity in our clients as well. I have seen various people from all across the race and religion spectrum. People who are Pacific Islander, Arabic, Hispanic, Muslim, Ukrainian, Egyptian, African American, and so on and so forth. To take away free supplies from all these various minorities is racist and an injustice. They need help being able to afford these supplies and abortion clinics certainly aren’t going to help them. Higher rates of infant mortality due to systematic racism mean that every affordable baby supply is truly needed for a person of color. It is a privileged position to take that away.”

Kristin Monahan “What I Learned from Volunteering at a Crisis Pregnancy Center” Secular Pro-Life Blog DECEMBER 18, 2018

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Crisis pregnancy center helps with woman’s baby

Varina H was asked if crisis pregnancy centers helped her. She says:

“Yes, they are very helpful. Still help me with maternity clothes, vouchers for baby clothes, lots of moral support, free ultrasounds, and said when the baby is born to go back and they will give me a baby shower basket with lots of clothes and diapers and other things. They help with baby furniture, have counseling and parenting classes for free, and help with children’s clothes as well. Super grateful for all the help I’ve received.”

“Your experiences with CPCs and pregnancy resource centers” Secular Pro-Life Blog OCTOBER 2, 2018

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Woman thankful for help from crisis pregnancy center

Crystal K wrote about her experiences at a crisis pregnancy center:

“I went to one for most of my pregnancy and a couple times afterward. I wanted to take advantage of their parenting classes before my baby arrived. My counselor was incredibly wonderful and kind, and they helped my little family with baby clothes and equipment we needed. I learned so much there that’s been helpful and I’m so thankful.”

“Your experiences with CPCs and pregnancy resource centers” Secular Pro-Life Blog OCTOBER 2, 2018

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Rape survivor who became pregnant: My daughter saved my life

Lianna Rebolledo was 12-years-old when she was raped by two men and became pregnant. Lianna decided to keep her baby after she asked the doctor if abortion would ease her pain and he replied ‘no.’

Now Lianna, 35, says she has no regrets about choosing life for her child and that her daughter has helped her overcome suicidal thoughts.

“If abortion wasn’t going to heal anything, I didn’t see the point. I just knew that I had somebody inside my body. I never thought about who her biological father was. She was my kid. She was inside of me…

It was really hard, but just to see that little person telling me how happy she was that I gave her her life. When she said that — and she was only four years old when she told me: ‘Mommy thank you for giving me life’ — I realized that she was the one who gave me my life back.

In my situation, two lives were saved. I saved my daughter’s life, but she saved my life. Even though [the rape] was a very hard moment, if I had to go through that [again] just to know and to love my daughter, I would go through that again. She’s always been there for me. She’s the only person who has shown me a real love. And I always will be grateful.”

SARAH ZAGORSK “12-Year-Old Bravely Rejected Abortion After Rape, She Has No Regrets 23 Years Later” FEB 27, 2015

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Woman pregnant from rape loves her son

Tricia Allen became pregnant from rape. She writes about giving birth to her son:

“The day my son was born, the nurses placed him in my arms, and he latched on and nursed right away. I gazed at him and my son was just perfect. I didn’t give one thought to the man who raped me. My son was mine and mine alone. And it turned out that my dearest child was the greatest gift I’ve ever been given. He has beautiful green eyes and adorable red hair….

After a year, I met my husband. … We married a first months later, and now we’ve been married for 15 years and have three children we’ve raised.

My son just turned 16, and he is one of the most empathetic people you’ll ever know. He’s a senior level Boy Scout — receiving many honors. He’s on the robotics team and he speaks German….

I do have flashbacks sometimes, but not as often now because I only see the beauty of the amazing child I was given through the worst day of my life.”

Tricia Allen “My Amazing Child Who Came From The Worst Day Of My Life” Save The 1 Blog September 7, 2018

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Crisis pregnancy center helps woman have her baby

Sarah Y was facing a crisis pregnancy and went to a crisis pregnancy center. She describes the experience:

“I was 17. Pregnant. They did testing for me, then counseling, and gave me all the options. I appreciated the honesty. Was really nice to have someone sit down and talk with me about priorities and future goals. Helped me put things into perspective and made it seem less daunting somehow. 20 years later, my daughter is amazing and I feel so blessed to have had such an amazing person to help me so long ago.”

“Your experiences with CPCs and pregnancy resource centers” Secular Pro-Life Blog OCTOBER 2, 2018

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Father of aborted baby describes “painful” abortion

Bill came with his partner to an abortion clinic and watched a video they showed. After seeing it he said:

“They showed a film; I was surprised at the brevity of the procedure, and the seeming painlessness.”

But after the procedure, he said:

“Looking back on it, it was a lot more painful than I thought it would be. Mentally painful. The emotions were very strange. I don’t think I’ve ever felt that way before.

We talked about it some after, but not much. Didn’t seem like there was a whole lot to say.

I think things changed between us in a very subtle way. I felt resentment toward her. Maybe she felt the same way about me.”

Carole Dornblaser and Uta Landy, PhD The Abortion Guide: A Handbook for Women and Men (Rockville Center, New York: Playboy Paperbacks 1982) 83

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Planned Parenthood refuses to help rape victim who wanted to keep her baby

Louise McLean was raped at 16 by her boyfriend. This happened 40 years ago. From the beginning, she wanted to keep her baby. She says:

“Back 40 years ago, unwed, teenage pregnancy, and rape had such stigmas attached to them. I didn’t want to tell my parents because I was afraid that they would think the precious little baby growing inside of me was something to be “taken care of.” My innocent daughter may have been conceived in rape, but was no less worthy of protection and love. So the best way I could figure to protect her was to hide the fact that I was pregnant and the circumstances surrounding her conception.”

She went to Planned Parenthood:

“During that time I went to Planned Parenthood as suggested by my friend and school nurse. At first I didn’t want to go because I thought they only did abortions, but I was assured they would counsel me and help me decide what was best for me—so I went. 16 years old and petrified. I sat in the waiting room looking at their pamphlets to see what they had to offer; I didn’t see anything that was promoting me to keep my baby. I went to the woman at the desk and told her that I came there to talk to someone about how to deal with my pregnancy, and that that I was told they have counselling to help girls in my situation.

To my shock she asked me if I was there for an abortion. I gasped it utter disbelief and said “No! I could never do that.” Knowing I wasn’t there for an abortion, she told me that they only do abortions, so if I wasn’t there to have one that they weren’t interested in talking to me. I left in utter disbelief.”

When she went into labor months later, the doctor told her there were complications:

“He immediately ordered X-rays with bed rest and upon the results he admitted me Sunday for emergency C-section, explaining to me that I had placenta previa and I had not dilated at all. The doctor asked if something were to happen during delivery, who should I save: you, or the baby? To which I said, “The baby, of course.”

McLean says:

“In her 40 years of life, Dianalee has NEVER reminded me of the rape or my rapist. It has been such a pleasure watching her grow into the fine young woman she is today. She and her husband Brian are involved in charity work, using their testimonies to speak hope into the lives of others. They have also blessed me with two grandchildren, whom I can’t imagine my life without. I have seven grandchildren all together.”

“Pregnant from rape 40 years ago, Louise says her baby girl ‘never reminded me of the rape or my rapist’” Live Action News October 12, 2017

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Doctors pressure family to abort baby because of dwarfism, baby is born healthy

Frank Pedreira, MD, recalls the following:

“Denise, a 32-year-old woman with three children (Laura, Steven, and Stephanie) ranging in age from 2 – 7 years became pregnant for the fourth time. Her previous pregnancies were completely uneventful, and her three children were healthy, active, and bright. She and her husband were healthy and well.

Her pregnancy was proceeding normally until the sixth month when a “routine sonogram” was interpreted by her doctor as “compatible with dwarfism.” She was sent to a Metropolitan University Medical Center where she was examined and a repeat sonogram was ordered. The sonogram reconfirmed the findings of limb shortening suggestive of dwarfism. Additionally, a cardiac defect was diagnosed. Denise was told that abortion was an option she should consider.

She and her husband, Mark, both professed Christians, decided this was not an option and elected to have the baby… A baby boy was born at term after a spontaneous labor and remarkably easy delivery. The child was completely normal, without evidence of dwarfism or heart abnormality. His birth weight was 8 pounds, length 21 inches, and Apgar score 9/10. The parents named him John.

Presently, at age one year, John is growing, gaining and developing very well, without any evidence of defect or disease.”

Frank Pedreira, MD A Doctor’s Prescription for Life (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Sterling House, 1999) 69 – 70

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Pro-lifers help poor couple have their baby

Pro-life activist Ken Campbell told the following story:

“On a cold, rainy October day in 1987, Reza, then aged 25 years and Nasrin, aged 21 years…found their way into the back alley of the [abortion clinic]. Here they met two wet and cold sidewalk counselors, Craig and Mary, who offered them pro-life pamphlets and help to continue the pregnancy. The couple was confused and upset about the idea of abortion. Raised as Muslims, each believed in the sanctity of preborn life, but Reza could see no other option for them. They were applying for immigrant status and could barely survive financially.…. As they faced the terrible reality of abortion before them, their hearts sank, but still they decided to enter the [abortion clinic] .… Sickened by the atmosphere, they walked out. Reza recalled, “It looked and felt evil in there.” His reaction crystallized his thoughts and feelings and he remembers thinking, “I’m not a criminal. I don’t want to kill my baby. It’s human too.”

Craig and Mary had waited outside the [abortion clinic] and silently prayed for the young couple. When they reappeared Reza told them “It’s like a house of death in there.” He gave Craig his phone number… The next morning Craig called offering practical and financial help: $500 from Save the Baby Fund to ease their money worries, basic pieces of furniture… a clock and a mattress, a used TV set so Nasrin could learn English, a medical referral to an ever obliging pro-life obstetrician, Dr. Ned Lacey, and even the offer of a better paying job.…

The couple was married on December 10, 1987… Craig would’ve been a witness but he had to appear in court that day on trespassing charges at the abortuary, so Mary filled in for him….

Shayan, which means “deserving”, was born a few months later. His delighted parents summoned Craig…and Mary to the hospital where all rejoiced at the arrival of this precious baby. They proclaimed Craig to be the “baby’s first uncle.” During the next year Craig and his wife continued to visit the family frequently.”

Ken Campbell Five Years Rescuing at the Gates of Hell (Burlington, Ontario, Canada: Coronation Publications 1990) 76 – 77

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