About 3:00 pm on Thursday, May 30, a couple with their windows open drove into the parking lot at the Uptown Planned Parenthood (PP) in Minneapolis. I offered our literature and said, “Here’s some important information about free resources for your family.” The young man asked, “What is this?” I told him we have free help for mom, dad and baby nearby and that they didn’t have to go to PP today. The PP escort was urging them to go into the parking lot. I told him to read the literature and come out and talk with me. He said he would.
They parked on the opposite side of the lot. I calmly but quickly walked around to speak through the fence from the alley. I usually try to start conversationally with clients, if possible, to see if they would be willing to begin a dialogue. The man got out of his car and came over to the fence to talk with me.
I introduced myself and asked, “How can I help your family today? What’s going on for you that brought you here?” “Sam”* told me that he and his girlfriend were having a hard time and an argument brought them to PP. He asked why the escort wouldn’t let him talk with me at the driveway. I explained that she is in support of PP and is opposed to our efforts to help families. I explained that we have a network of places that could help his family and told him that we know that so many women and men have been harmed by abortion so we want to help prevent moms and dads from regretting abortion.
He said they weren’t in favor of abortion but that they were scared as this is their first pregnancy. I tried to show empathy for their feelings of fear but reassured them that their current circumstances were temporary but that abortion is a permanent loss of their son or daughter. He said they weren’t sure they were ready for a baby.
I told him, “Your son or daughter is already here.” A small smile came to his face. I said, “Congratulations on your first baby!” His face beamed brighter.
He asked if I could talk with his girlfriend and he gently helped her out of the car and brought her to me by the fence. I could see that she had been crying. “Kami”* said they were scared and were having a tough day so they had decided to come to PP to make an abortion appointment. I told her about the free help we could offer their family through the Pregnancy Resource Centers (PRC). I asked Kami if she would be interested in going over to First Care. She said she was interested and seemed calmer.
They agreed to park on the street to talk more about going to the PRC.
After they re-parked on the street, I asked how far along she is. She told me 5 weeks. I explained that her baby’s heart is already beating and fingers and toes will form very soon. I called First Care and they kindly and professionally walked Kami through setting up an appointment for an ultrasound the following week and told her that she could call them back anytime before then with any concerns.
Kami gave me a hug and said, “God put you here at just the right time for us. Thank you for being here.” I got her phone number to keep in touch and gave her a baby gift of a “Loved” onsie and blanket that Pat W., my sidewalk counseling partner, had just picked up from the office before we came.
*not their real names
