Appointment Canceled

Her advocate held her hair back as she struggled with nausea. Stacy*, crying and thinking, “How can I do this?” That question had echoed in her mind since she found out she was pregnant. She knew right away who to call. She had visited the same clinic the month before for STI testing. The staff had been so kind. Even though she worried about what her advocate might think, she reached out anyway. Now, she sat with a woman who truly seemed to care. Once the nausea passed, Stacy had trouble catching her breath and could barely speak through her tears, but her advocate waited patiently. She began to feel safe. Stacy shared all the reasons she felt she needed an abortion. Her advocate listened with understanding and explained all her options. She also said words Stacy had never heard before, like 'you are worthy and loved by God.' Stacy questioned this, but she began to calm down and breathe more easily. Then Stacy admitted she already had an abortion appointment scheduled, and again, her advocate responded with compassion and understanding. When she had an ultrasound, Stacy felt panic return. The baby had a heartbeat? How could that be? Still, through her tears, she repeated, “I can’t do this.” But something about that day made her pause and reconsider her choice.

Stacy left the clinic that day, and it looked like she would go to her abortion appointment. On the morning of the appointment, her advocate checked in with her, just as promised. Stacy replied, “I did not make my appointment.” She chose life for her baby!

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in trials, be constant in prayer." Romans 12:12

Every week at Choices Clinic, we meet with women like Stacy, scared, broken, and stuck. At Choices, she gets to pause in a safe, nonjudgmental space, and often it leads to life. When you partner with Choices in any capacity, you are helping us be a voice of clarity and hope in her life.

*name and some details changed to protect the privacy of our client

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