by Brian Walker, Program Director
On Thursday, July 30, a young lady came out of the Lagoon entrance at the Uptown Planned Parenthood (PP) and passed me on the corner not taking any literature. Mike M. was on duty with his large “Option Line” sign. As she walked by, he spoke to her and encouraged her to talk to me, so she came back to the Lagoon entrance.
I asked what she thought about the sign and what Mike shared with her. There was a faint smile. I offered her the literature again and we continued talking. A male PP escort started to come over, so at my lead, we moved away. I shared the blue “Free Pregnancy Resources” brochure after sensing she was open to receiving help to keep her baby.
Since she mentioned health care. I showed the two full medical clinics and the map card to the nearby First Care pregnancy resource center, plus my PLAM business card. As I mentioned the handcrafted baby quilt and baby shower we’d like to give her, I told her she’d make a good mother. Her mother had given her life and not to take another’s.
She said if she did not abort, what about her baby? I mentioned adoption. She hesitated, inferring not trusting a stranger. I told her if she aborts she’d be giving her child to a stranger who would kill it. I offered an Uber to First Care, but she went into PP.
At the end of our shift, Mike, volunteer sidewalk counselor Tom G., and I gathered at the driveway and noticed that she was waiting in the parking lot. This was about 25 minutes after she had gone inside.
I asked if she had changed her mind. She replied yes and that the “Free Pregnancy Resources” brochure and talking to me helped change her mind. I did not mention it, but Mike’s sign and Tom’s friendly demeanor and gentle approach had to have played a role.
Learn more about the resources available for pregnant women and their families at https://plam.org/free-resources-for-pregnant-women/