(Students for Life, Christina Doell) — When I decided that I couldn’t go through with my scheduled abortion, I called Planned Parenthood in Indianapolis, IN and cancelled my appointment. I then proceeded to seek out information on pregnancy care with the lady over the phone.
I just assumed since Planned Parenthood claimed to be a women’s health clinic that they could offer me the care I was in need of. The representative on the other end of the phone rudely responded that Planned Parenthood did not provide that care.
“Well, fine” I thought, slightly irritated.
So, I then went on to ask her where I could receive care. She simply stated that she could not direct me anywhere.
“Okay…” I responded and then simply thanked her and hung up the phone.
I was scared and had no idea where to go. So, I ended up going a few months without receiving any care. I did not know that I was supposed to take prenatal vitamins or not eat lunch meat. And thankfully I was able to get the care that I needed in my pregnancy crisis situation, but it was no thanks to Planned Parenthood.
It was around that time that I bumped into a student with fliers about Students for Life. I had heard of them on campus. I stopped and talked to her. She kindly directed me to LifeCare, a free non-profit pregnancy crisis center on campus. Because of Students For Life directing me towards LifeCare, I was able to get free counseling, maternity clothes, and educational classes on pregnancy and labor. They also helped me go through with my decision to place my daughter for adoption.
Planned Parenthood was not there for me as a woman in my moment of need.
It was basically like once I changed my mind about the abortion and they weren’t going to get their money, they didn’t care about me or my situation or at all. If Planned Parenthood was actually for women, why couldn’t they at least have directed me towards a place to receive care? And what about the baby girl I was carrying? Planned Parenthood did not care about her either.
Editor’s Note: This article was first published by Students for Life of America on February 10, 2017, and is reprinted here with permission.
