Why I'm grateful for Planned Parenthood

[supernova]

Why I'm grateful for Planned Parenthood
by Joyce Clark Hicks

Abortion. That was the furthest thing from my mind in the summer of 1994. I had just graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill and was soon to be off to a summer internship at the Detroit Free Press.

But I'd had a health scare in the spring of my senior year. A routine Pap smear at the school's student health services had come back abnormal.

"This doesn't mean you have cancer," the blue postcard read. Well, it didn't mean I didn't. A follow-up exam was recommended a few months later.

In the swirl of graduation prep, I didn't know what to do. I was no longer on my mom's health insurance, and worry was coming faster than the paycheck I'd yet to earn.

Complete article, well worth the read.. http://www.indyweek.com/indyweek/why-im-grateful-for-planned-parenthood/Content?oid=2050187

I have also used PP and found them to be wonderfully smart, caring, and passionate about their patients. Even in my 40s, I have used them for bc and routine exams because I was unemployed and didn't have access to a private practice.

[Maeve]

1. I went to them when first married--so did my Mom

For birth control advice. I was in college and not ready for kids and didn't have a local doctor.

[supernova]

4. You know, I think

going to PP needs to come out of the closet. It seem to me it's become (has been) a secret club for "liberal hippie women" that normal people don't patronize.

We need to all stand up for PP. All of us from all walks of life because PP is there when we need it.

[solara]

11. I totally agree with you!

:hi:

[solara]

2. I am also very grateful to Planned Parenthood.. they saved my life

I went to them because I also did not have access to private practice. I knew that something was wrong with me because I was having a lot of pain and other weird things were happening with my body.

After the exam, they told me that they suspected I might be five months pregnant - but then the tests came in and showed that I had a rather large tumor nestled among a ridiculous array of smaller fibroids.

Planned Parenthood got me on a program for low income women and I was able to have the necessary surgery.

They told me later that the tumor was possibly pre-cancerous but benign.

Planned Parenthood does A LOT more than provide safe abortions and I will always support them.

:hi:

[supernova]

3. Thank you for telling your story

And I'm glad you are better now.


:hug:

:hi:

[solara]

10. Thank you, too

:hug: back

[DirkGently]

5. It's women's health the Republicans are targeting. They really do want you to "die quickly."

[Annabella]

13. no

It all comes back to the abortion debate. PP offers abortions therefore conservatives don't like them.

[ceile]

6. Great article n/t

[femrap]

7. Planned Parenthood is so much

more than a provider of SAFE, LEGAL ABORTIONS. It is possibly the only medical care a woman has.

[lapislzi]

8. K+R for PP

Been using them since my college days.

[KT2000]

9. I am also grateful

When I was just out of high school I had no idea where to go for birth control. I had no insurance and very little money. They educated me about the recommended exams that women should have on a regular basis. They gave me a prescription for birth control. I paid for the exam on their sliding scale. I felt there was someplace to go for women's medical care without judgement.
We need them.

[aikoaiko]

12. I am very grateful to Planned Parentghood. They provided many good services to my female friends.

And back in the day I grabbed fistfuls of condoms when I was feeling optimistic.