The testimonial on this page has been excerpted from unsolicited letters to Birthright from clients we have served. Some changes have been made to protect the anonymity of the writers. We are grateful to these women for the courage it took to share their journey.
Are you making the most
important decision
of your life?
You are not alone. If you are facing an untimely pregnancy, let us help you.
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Dear Birthright,
I have never been more grateful for an organization. I was three days away from an abortion. You helped me keep my baby and kept me from making a mistake that would’ve haunted me for the rest of my life. Thank you. Misti
My Story
In the fall of 2009, I was discussing when to have a hysterectomy. Just a short time later through blood work I found out I was pregnant. It was most surprising. I had insurance, or so I thought. Everything was fine until I found out there was no maternity rider. No one would insure me now.
Step back five years. My only son was diagnosed with a rare seizure disorder that left us remortgaging the house at a horrendous rate, putting basic needs like formula and diapers and food on a credit card just to survive and get him medical help. It would take nearly six years to payoff the expenses.
I’m a logical person but not a strong person. After realizing the cost of the doctor and the hospital, along with being denied for Medicaid because $31,000 a year was too much money for assistance, I realized that we could not afford to have the baby I was carrying. It would place us nearly another $15,000 in debt just in medical expenses, let alone the cost of raising this child. I couldn’t take the 20 phone calls a day from bill collectors who threatened to have my house taken away while dealing with medical bills from my first child. I couldn’t do it again with this one either.
I had decided that if there was no way to get any help with this I would make the logical decision, I would have an abortion. I desperately cried out in my car, “Give me a sign that I can keep this baby.” With only four days left, I called your office from a billboard sign near my home. A kind woman on the phone scheduled me to come into the office the next day. I really had no idea what was in store for me. I just read the words, “Pregnant, you’re not alone.”
I was greeted by a volunteer who got a counselor for me. I met a lady named Amanda, who I told my obstacles to. She asked what if finances weren’t an obstacle, would you keep you baby? Of course, but I just don’t see how it’s possible. When she told me I wasn’t alone, and that my labor and delivery would be taken care of, I lost it. Uncontrollable tears and unbelief overwhelmed me. I would actually be able to keep by baby.
I didn’t even make it home before I called my husband to let him know that I had made my decision. I was keeping the baby and it wasn’t going to cost us anything. He about cried.
A month later I received the call from my insurer saying they had made a mistake in my paperwork... I now qualified for pregnancy coverage. I called Birthright to let them know that I had coverage and that I was thankful for their services they offered, but they could use their resources for another young woman. They were overjoyed that everything worked out.
I still receive calls from my counselor, and Birthright has even helped me with some maternity clothes for the summer. I won’t lie, finances are tight and we’re living paycheck to paycheck but we’re making it. With a clear conscience that I did the right thing.
To you and God I say, “Thanks for the sign.”
“Misti”
