Monday, January 05, 2009
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Pro-Life with a twist, please...
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Posted by:
Kevin McCullough at
7:39 PM
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This entry is a post from Michele Reithmayr, the newest blogger here. She serves as the director of a Women's Resource Center, and can be contacted at michelereith@gmail.com.
I have for some time been told that oppose women's right to true choices in the life debate that those who operate "Women's Resource Centers" (i.e. the WRC) seem to be "pushing a hidden, pro-life agenda." This got me thinking as I am trying to sleep at 1:35am.
Wrong, wrong, right. Push-we don't. Hidden, nope. Pro-life, yes.
But wait...we are also Pro-Choices. (gasp!)
Did she really just say that? You bet. We believe that a woman has a right to know ALL of her options before she makes a decision on her pregnancy. So...I think we are neither Pro-Life or Pro-Choice. The WRC is Pro-Woman.
Sounds too simple. But its true. If a young woman comes into our office and leaves determined to have an abortion, parent or adopt, we cannot tell her what to do. We just ask the questions, pass the tissue, and put and arm around her shoulders. Believe me, there are many that wonder into our office and in her given situation, its easy to think "that baby would be better off if that girl would only..." But THIS is not what we do. What we do is a labor of love, and many times sees very little return.
I have been there. Pregnant at 16, boyfriend gone after the words "its positive." I went to Planned Parenthood ALONE. It was there that I was explained all my "options." Single parent, or an abortion. Wait, isn't there more? Are these really all my choices? Where is the tissue?
There is NO easy option when comes to an unplanned pregnancy; you can dash your dreams and join the single parenthood league, give your baby away, or have a secret to carry with you for decades. None of these choices are easy or made without tears involved. The WRC is there to meet you where you are, regardless if you want an abortion. We even have an abortion support group--does Planned Parenthood do that?
But if I hadn't wandered into the WRC at age 16 to learn about ALL my options, I would not have found HOPE beyond my pregnancy. And maybe, just maybe, there would not be a tall, handsome boy in Indiana with his mother's blue eyes (and brains!) and father's smile playing football this season at school--with TWO loving parents cheering from the bleachers. I look forward to meeting him someday...
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