 A young woman, let’s call her Susie, was referred to us by a family member. After Susie’s abortion she experienced bouts of sleeplessness, crying, extreme anger, and had threatened suicide. Susie sought help from professional counselors but was unable to schedule an appointment in a timely manner. Her family member knew she needed immediate intervention and found our abortion recovery program online. Our Healing Services Team met and talked with both Susie and her family member to connect Susie with the PDHC Abortion Recovery (aR) Programs.
Susie said she had been happy about the pregnancy and shared the news with her family, friends, and co-workers. She was shocked when her boyfriend balked at the idea of having a child and insisted that she abort. She had never given a great deal of thought to having children, but assumed that if it happened, they would both be excited. Instead, her boyfriend stated he wasn’t interested in children but had other life goals. This led to escalating arguments. Susie was emotionally and economically dependent on the relationship and eventually gave in to the boyfriend’s wishes. She immediately regretted her decision. After the abortion, Susie continued her relationship with the boyfriend, but the reality of what she had done and her misjudgment of him began to haunt her and led to the emotional state her family member was witnessing. Susie understood that we who work in abortion recovery are also post-abortive. She opened up right away and, amid her tears and trembling, was eager to talk about her situation. Our time together was a condensed example of each of the steps of the L.O.V.E. Approach, all in one session. I “L”istened as Susie talked about her feeling that she was getting worse--as she would still be pregnant and was fixated on her due date. The regret she felt, her anger at her boyfriend, and another significant loss—the death of a beloved family member, were all contributing to her emotional distress. She also felt triggered by the fact that several people in her life were pregnant. As she talked about her desire to continue her education, it was a perfect time to talk about “O”pening “O”ptions in terms of her career and the relationship. For the first time, Susie concentrated on her hopes and dreams. “V"ision and “V”alues became a natural part of the conversation. Susie expressed fear at the idea of starting over with a new relationship, but she knew that she and her boyfriend did not share the same priorities in life and that she now knew she wanted a family with children. She also recognized her abortion went against her core beliefs, beliefs the boyfriend did not share. We extended her an invitation to attend a monthly drop-in aR Connection Meeting, and to join an abortion recovery healing group. Just knowing that we were here for her and that she would be in a group in a short period of time empowered Susie and gave her hope. She was also encouraged to journal about her relationship and her vision for her future. She was reminded that God loves her and forgives her. About three weeks into our group, Susie announced that continuing the relationship with her boyfriend was not the best decision for her and that she was making decisions that were much healthier for her life. Susie shared, “The support has been more helpful than I thought possible. I feel free and closer to God than ever before.” She went on further to write, “I will never be able to find the words to tell you how thankful I am for meeting you guys this year. You have restored my faith in God and in myself, something I never thought possible a few months ago. I am so appreciative of PDHC. I can’t wait to continue this healing journey.” There is an exciting postscript to this story. A few weeks ago, Susie invited us to attend her baptism, where we met her family who referred her to us. We are happy to report that Susie is continuing on the pathway to healing and a free and transformed life in Christ.
0 Comments
An 18 yr old client walked into our Campus center after trying to go to Planned Parenthood next door for a pregnancy test. PDHC services were explained to her, and she decided to stay for an appointment. She had just been to the ER this week for other reasons and there they informed her that she was pregnant and referred her to Planned Parenthood. She expressed confusion and wondered if the hospital was trying to tell her to have an abortion? She was not planning to become pregnant as the father of her baby is her ex-boyfriend who she does not wish to be around, but she stated that she wants to keep her baby if she is pregnant. Before coming to PDHC, her ex-boyfriend had ordered an abortion pill online and tried to trick the client into taking it by telling her it was Tylenol for her headache. We were able to comfort the client and talk with her about her boyfriend trying to pressure her to have an abortion. She was given support and resources to give her courage in her decision and keep her safe and is receiving ongoing support from the staff of PDHC.  A client arrived today insistent about needing the abortion pill and although the hotline had clearly stated what our services are - she was angry and confused about why she could not get the abortion pill from us and turned to leave. Attempting to engage her with a few questions, she told us she had already been to Planned Parenthood a month ago for an ultrasound which prompted a long conversation with her and revealed that she was, in fact, too far along to legally obtain the abortion pill. When we asked if she knew what her options were-she said no. Again, we offered for her to stay for an ultrasound and consultation. She finally agreed. Her initial intake revealed little about why she felt so strongly that abortion was her only option. The ultrasound showed an 11 week baby - fully formed and "bouncing" on the screen. The nurse asked her if she wanted a boy or girl. Her answer: I don't want a baby. But when the nurse showed baby on the TV screen and showed her that she in fact already had a baby and then went on to describe her only abortion option- a surgical abortion - the client shuddered and then took out the abortion education information that we had handed her when she was threatening to walk out- and ripped it up and threw it on the floor!!! The client said - I thought it was just eggs- there are arms and legs already?? I could never do that (abortion) and said "I think I want a girl". The nurse reassured her that we would walk with her in this pregnancy and informed her of parenting classes and other community services to support her. She left with images of her child and pink booties in hand and allowed the nurse to pray over her and her child. This is such a wonderful example of the power of ultrasound!   Taking place this month was the 50th annual March for Life event, held on Friday, January 20th in Washington D.C., and the first in a post-Roe America with the theme Next Steps: Marching into a Post-Roe America.
PDHC staff nurse Kathy was one of thousands who attended, and she shared her experience: “My first March for Life was amazing.... the 50th anniversary and the first in our post-Roe world. So. Many. People. I loved the speakers at the rally beforehand – senators/congressmen, coaches, musicians, nuns, priests, pastors, student leaders, activists, medical professionals and even the actor who plays Jesus in the Chosen! We heard from pioneers in the movement – not unlike our own Peggy Hartshorn- who have been in this fight all 50 years. It was truly inspiring to see all the young people – I am guessing that 2/3 of the people there were under 25- I loved it. It gave me so much hope that the value of life lives on in the future generation. It was loud and yet peaceful, prayerful, and joyful, and inspirational. I was so proud to be a part of it. I was by myself and so I really chose to march and pray - feeling like I was representing PDHC and all of our clients and babies and families. It had been a rough week here on the "front line" - I had a client with an addiction who had been forced into an abortion , a client whose infant died and another whose father was killed by gun violence. It was a lot. The tone of the March was certainly celebratory (overturning Roe v Wade) but also passionate about the work still to do - MAKING ABORTION UNTHINKABLE- changing hearts. And then there was a tone of mourning for the lives lost in the last 50 years. I have concluded that the wonderful design of God for the body of believers/for the church and indeed for the pro-Life community at large is diverse for a reason. Each has an indispensable gift from God – they may not know what it is like to serve on the front line, but I don’t know what it is like to live out pro-life values on campus or at the pulpit. It is so good to know that we don’t have to function in gifts for which God has not equipped us. And I know also that I am still being equipped each day for this work. The body of Christ and the pro-life community is diverse, amazing, skilled, and passionate. If you ever get the chance to go – it is inspiring,” she stated.  "PDHC has been very supportive to me throughout my pregnancy journey and for that I'm grateful. They supported me spiritually, physically, and emotionally. They taught me how to take care of my baby through their parenting classes. My journey has been a very beautiful one and I'm thankful to God to be a part of the PDHC family."
~PDHC Mom Kadiatu Baby Boy John Ezra Born August 24, 2022  Every client is unique. Exactly the way God made her. Her experiences, thoughts, feelings…they’re all unique to her. Our job, is to find the common thread between us and her. What is that one thing that connects us as we work to build trust? That one thing is often the most simple, we’re both human. The world around us is spinning but in these centers, in these rooms, we find peace. We find commonality. We find understanding. We both have had seasons of uncertainty. Of fear. Of panic. Yes, we’re both human. And we’re so thankful for that reminder. That at any given moment in our lives, we could be sitting where she is. In fact, some of us have. We sit in gratitude and thankfulness that we’re not there anymore. And thankful that the Lord has allowed us to partner in this work.
As we as an organization walk through a season that is new territory for all of us, we can’t help but feel the love of the Lord around us. The work we get to do each day, for these women, it’s special. Important. Holy. They let us into those secret places. And we honor their trust with our commitment to supporting them through it all. So today, and everyday we remain thankful that they let us in. That they allow us to walk with them. That they invite us in to a small portion of their lives. And we are thankful. Thankful for the woman who has struggled through infertility for years, only to find herself pregnant in a time of destitution for her family. We are thankful she has made repeated visits to us and allowed us to be a part of this time. Thankful for the families that trust in us for their education as they work to learn how to build a healthy family. Thankful for the women who come back to us after choosing abortion “just to talk”. Thankful for every client that has the bravery to speak with our connections team, often in the middle of the night. Thankful for all of you who continue to lift us up in prayer. For all of you who support us in all the ways that you do. In this time of uncertainty, we are so so thankful. Submitted by Noelle, PDHC Director of Client Services  “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say, rejoice!” Philippians 4:4
On May 5, 2022, a beautiful and healthy 6lb 15oz baby girl named Gabrielle was born to a loving Mother and Father. What many do not know is that this birth almost didn’t happen, this life was one pill away from being cut short. Gabrielle’s mommy came to us through the Abortion Pill rescue Network. She had just taken the first pill in a set of two that would end the life of her baby. She felt sure that abortion was right for her even though she had support from her boyfriend and family to parent. Upon taking the first set of pills, she felt immediate regret and started researching ways to undo what she had started. We’re so blessed here at PDHC to offer the Abortion Pill Reversal service. We meet the bravest women and are honored to walk with them through their pregnancy journey and beyond. Our two nurses had the extreme blessing of meeting with and caring for Gabrielle’s mommy throughout this process. On May 5 we all got the chance to rejoice in this woman’s blessing. Rejoice in this new life. Rejoice in the Lord and His faithfulness and goodness. We invite you to rejoice with us, today and always. Submitted by Noelle Tomko, PDHC Director of Client Services  One thing we know about crisis is that it causes confusion. It is not atypical for us to see or speak to a client who seems to going back and forth between choosing life or abortion. The decision of abortion is final, irreversible, and our clients, even those of whom who are very hard-hearted, feel this tension within. The pulling. The pushing. That “thing” they just can’t identify that is making them doubt their decision to abort.
Such is the story of *Amelia. She came to our center and was initially very undecided about what to do after finding herself in this pregnancy with zero help from the baby’s father. Our nurse Lesa showed her love, kindness, grace, support, and shared the truth with her. After several conversations and visits to our center, Amelia chose LIFE for herself and this precious baby. This week, as a staff, we got to celebrate Amelia and her baby with a baby shower. Through the blessing of a grant, we were able to supply Amelia with items necessary to bring her child home from the hospital and have everything she needs to start this new life as a single mom. I hope you’ll join us in supporting this brave decision and praising our GREAT God!  Imagine being in a foreign land, trying to make a new home, scared, and finding yourself newly pregnant. The “love” that promised you so many things has now turned it’s back on you and you’re alone. Where would you go? What would you do? It’s almost impossible to imagine.
Thankfully, with God and with your dedication to our ministry, we get to come alongside women in these exact scenarios and carry them through. Our Nurse Kathy had the pleasure of being the hands of feet of Christ to one such client several months ago. *Greta had found PDHC and come to us to confirm her pregnancy. She wanted to choose life for her baby but needed help in several ways. With the help, support, and guidance of Kathy and PDHC, we connected her to the needed resources and were able to walk alongside her throughout her pregnancy. That alone is beautiful enough for us. These women may never know the gift they’re giving us by allowing us to support them as they become Mothers. In this case, the gift didn’t stop there. Just last week Great returned to see Kathy and introduce her to her baby, the one Kathy saw on that ultrasound so many months ago. However, this time she returned with a question…..”Will you be my baby’s Godmother?” I wish I could have been there to see this beautiful exchange between two women. What blessings the Lord bestows on us day after day. Of course, Kathy said “yes!” What an honor. This child, the one who was carried by a frightened woman who was all alone, will be dedicated to the Lord on Mother’s Day. Supported by his mother and his godmother, our Kathy. We are so thankful for this work. For this place. For this time on earth. We are also so thankful for you and all you do to help us continue in this fight for life. Submitted by Noelle Tomko, PDHC Director of Client Services  Have you ever wanted a second chance? What a gift we have with Abortion Pill Reversal to offer that to some very brave women.
*Susan was linked to us through the Abortion Pill Reversal Network. She contacted our center for help as she had just taken the first of two sets of Abortion pills to end her pregnancy. She shared with our nurse that she didn't feel very confident in starting the abortion process but felt pressured by friends and family to terminate. As soon as she took the first set, she had immediate regret and started searching for ways to "undo" what she had done. We connected her with our doctor who got her the prescription needed to help reverse the effects of the first set of abortion pill and scheduled her for an ultrasound to check on the baby. Susan lived almost two hours from our center but drove in for her appointment the next morning. The ultrasound showed a strong fetal heart rate. A second scan was scheduled and again, the baby looked great. Susan was so thankful that she had not taken her second set of pills to continue the abortion. God brought this beautiful woman to us and we have had the pleasure of walking through the last several weeks with her. She is scheduled to begin prenatal care and is in her second trimester. We praise God in heaven for His miraculous work. We thank Him for allowing us to walk with these women through such scary times. We thank all of you for your continued prayers. Please Join us in praising a God of second chances! Submitted by Noelle Tomko, PDHC Director of Client Services |
Archives
April 2023
Categories |
RSS Feed