Did Planned Parenthood save my life?

[K8-EEE]

Maybe! As a young woman, living paycheck to paycheck on my first (minimum wage) job, Planned Parenthood was really my only healthcare.

I went there initially for birth control pills (which I paid for based on my very low income, I believe they charged $5 for a 3 months and $7 for the exam! Something like that....I would pay with quarters saved for laundry sometimes!)

To be honest, I would have much preferred had they just given me the damn pills, I was annoyed to have to submit to pelvic and breast exams, blood pressure and the rest of it. Then the Dr. talked to me extensively about AIDS (then a new disease that the media called "gay cancer" and Reagan would not talk about) and how the pills would not protect me from that or any STD. They talked to me about my mistaken impression that AIDS was a gay man's disease. They talked to me about safe sex and condoms. They corrected my assumption that STDs were little annoyances that could be instantly cured by antibiotics.

They made an impression on me that DEFINITELY affected my behavior on a couple of occasions, let's just say that. They talked to me about smoking while on birth control pills. I kept smoking the first year I was on them, made several attempts to stop the 2nd year, finally quit the 3rd year.

In later years being lucky enough to have insurance and more expendable income, I've been happy to donate to Planned Parenthood for all the other women who depend on it for their primary health care and advice.

Despite the hysteria of the teabaggers, Planned Parenthood is NOT a political organization, it is a much needed HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATION and so donations are TAX DEDUCTIBLE! So, save that receipt!

Especially if you have daughters venturing out into this expensive, uncertain world. The life you help save with your donation could be theirs!

https://secure.ppaction.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=pp_ppol_DonationFormOneTimeGift

[Faygo Kid]

1. Great post; of course, you're already born and not rich.

Therefore your health and the health of others like you is of no interest to the GOP.

Still, not to be so cynical as to dismiss your story. Planned Parenthood does great work. I'm glad they are there for women, and I will donate because of your post.

[K8-EEE]

2. You got that right!! AND THANKS!

It's absolutely true -- they DON'T care about anybody who's not "one of them." Pro-life, what a laugh! I hope people who have benefitted from PP in the past, or appreciate their services to others, will remember to pay it forward.

[Liberal_in_LA]

3. +1000000000000000

[silverweb]

4. Well said.

:kick:

[kimi]

5. I think a lot of women can relate to this

I was in the same position and wouldn't have dreamed of going to my mom or family doc when I became sexually active as a teen. Planned Parenthood was where my friends and I went, and I can't believe that there could ever be thought of de-funding them. Only ignoramuses would think that all they do is perform abortions.

Thanks for the reminder to donate! :)

[K8-EEE]

6. Literally my only other doctor had been my pediatrician

That my parents knew socially and he would say stuff like, "I know it's a long way off, but when you become sexually active you should go to a gynacologist." I'm looking up gynos in the phone book going "how much for pills?" and they're like "your first appointment would be (unaffordable amount) and then follow ups blah blah blah I was like, forget it. PP I just walked right in and they're like "whay are you here, what do you need? OK! Fill this out."

[KT2000]

7. They saved mine!!

Just out of high school, and having a job that barely covered rent - they were my only option. ONLY OPTION for guidance on birth control and exams.
Gee baggers - there was always a crowded waiting room. Some of them I am sure, were "good christian girls with money but who could not go to their parents." Saw some I knew from high school there.

[K8-EEE]

8. Some idiot bagger told me on HuffPo

"I find it hard to believe that PP was the ONLY choice you had...." Well you're an idiot YES IT WAS! THE ONLY CHOICE! For those of us who don't have $200 or whatever for a routine exam and no insurance, yeah, pretty much the only one.

[KT2000]

9. That bagger needs to call around

doctors offices and 1) find out if they will even see the uninsured 2) find out how much an exam costs 3) find out how much it costs to go yearly because that is how long a prescription lasts 4) count how many office suggest she go to PP if she doesn't have insurance.

I think they want everyone to end up in their pregnancy bait and switch ssops/

[crickets]

10. K&R

[OnionPatch]

11. I'm not sure if they saved mine but it might have been much different

I was low-income as a teenager and young adult and depended on Family Planning for my health care. It was the only thing I could afford. They also gave me cheap birth control, and a young and stupid me might have gone without if I had not had such affordable access to the pill. I probably would have been another young, single-mother pregnancy statistic if not for them. Instead I went to college and made a decent life for myself.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

12. I donate monthly.

Because of two main reasons, at least in my mind:

1) Precious few organizations really help women in this misogynistic world.

2) anything that helps reduce the human burden on the planet in a responsible, pro-active way is incredibly important. Our relentlessly expanding numbers are killing everything else.

[H2O Man]

13. Recommended.

I just posted an OP on this topic. I wish I had seen your's first. But it can't hurt to have a few.

[K8-EEE]

14. The more the merrier!

Planned Parenthood is under attack so we have to put out as many good vibes as we can.