MAKING WAVES COLUMN

Why Planned Parenthood Holds a Special Place in My Heart

They were there for me more than any other doctor’s office in America

Sunday, March 3, 2024 12:56

I didn’t have health insurance for many years while living in the United States. It’s a foreign concept to my European friends since they are either automatically covered from the time they are born, or they sign up for something as soon as possible because it’s mandatory.

It was shocking to me to see abortion laws change as much as they have, over the past two years since I moved to Germany. I never thought that the Roe v. Wade case would ever be overturned. Ever.

To hear and see numerous Planned Parenthood facilities under attack hurts my heart, because their organization made it possibly and easy for me to have regular gynecological check-ups and emergency services. Such as when I had my first yeast infection, and thought something more serious was wrong.

My doctor bluntly told me that it was the result of having a great deal of sex with my partner. She gave me good information as to how I could help prevent yeast infections, and urinary tract infections in the future.

Even though I knew she was busy, she treated me as if she had all the time in the world, which meant a lot to me.

When I first went to Planned Parenthood for gynecological check-ups, it was because I didn’t have health insurance. I knew they charged patients on a sliding scale according to their income, proven by a pay stub that was required to be shown upon payment.

My doctor bluntly told me that it was the result of having a great deal of sex with my partner

During those early years, I made very little on the books because I worked at cafes and restaurants. My doctor’s visits were oftentimes $20 or less, unlike dentist's offices, which made me want to go more regularly.

They always had free condoms in their lobbies too, which I generally took and handed out freely to friends.

Many years later, I decided to go back on birth control

I still didn’t have health insurance because I was in excellent health, and did not want to pay a high health insurance bill. Since I worked less than thirty five hours a week, at a job that offered company health insurance for full-time employees.

Planned Parenthood was my best option. They were conveniently located with nice facilities, from what I could tell from Google Maps. I made my appointment after not having been to a gynecologist in several years, due to sheer laziness.

I wanted to have a full check-up and start taking Depo Provera again, after not being on any birth control for twelve years. It was a big decision and I wanted to talk it over with the doctor, before making a my final decision.

When I drove up to the facility and went to take a left into their parking lot, I blinked a few times in shock and disbelief. There were three men in lawn chairs, with signs, protesting abortion and Planned Parenthood. I shook my head at them, laughed in their faces as I drove by them, and grew angry at their audacity as I walked up to the entrance to ring the bell for entrance.

How dare they!?

I was a grown-ass woman there to have a regular check-up done, that was good for my health and proactive in preventing an unwanted pregnancy. Even if I was there for an abortion, they should not be sneering and negatively judging people who do. Rarely is having an abortion an easy decision for anyone.

There were three men in lawn chairs, with signs, protesting abortion and Planned Parenthood.

The protestors pissed me off so much that when I left, and saw that more had showed up middle-aged women like myself as well, I rolled down my window and held out my middle finger at them when I drove by.

I think I went to that particular facility four more times over the span of two years, because Depo Provera requires that a shot be given every three months.

Protestors were there every single time.

Imagine what that must be like for those who work there day in and day out. How about patients who have serious health concerns, and go to Planned Parenthood because they are affordable or convenient?

I rolled down my window and held out my middle finger at them when I drove by.

What about those who have had abortions, but are trying to prevent them, and must be reminded of the negative judgments of people every time they go there?

At that point in my life, I could afford the full payment and no longer qualified for a sliding scale payment. I couldn't care less. They were worth every penny.

I also donated to Planned Parenthood, and signed petitions over the years for them as well, because they hold a special place in my heart as a woman and human being.

One afternoon

I was at a well-known, large train station in downtown Philadelphia when a woman stopped me to ask if I would sign a petition, to help Planned Parenthood in some way. Immediately, I skimmed the literature and began to sign.

All of sudden, I heard a hissing sound in my right ear, “Murderer!” is what this young man had the nerve to seethe through his tight lips.

I also donated to Planned Parenthood, and signed petitions over the years for them as well.

I spun around and almost punched him. I looked at him wide-eyed, with invisible daggers being thrown at him.

Heat rose up in me so suddenly, that it was hard to control myself for a minute. The man-boy must have sensed that he was in danger, because he quickly skirted behind one of his allies with a sign several feet away.

He’s lucky I was in a bit of a rush and had to get to wherever I was going, or else I would have loudly given him a piece of my mind for half of the train station to hear. I wanted to make him feel small, like he was trying to do to me and no doubt many others.

Overpopulation is a very real problem in our lifetimes, I studied as a social science major. Birth control and planned pregnancies are such a vital part of our survival on this planet. It baffles me that institutions like Planned Parenthood are under attack as much as they are.

If this is the example we’re setting in so-called first-world countries, I can only imagine what it’s like in third-world countries. Where it’s oftentimes a struggle to get basic medical supplies and vaccines.

I’m writing this weekly common to give food for thought, as to the many topics and concerns that women face, especially women’s health.

Were you aware that Planned Parenthood is a beacon for many low-income women, who simply want basic services like check-ups and birth control?

Did you know that there are plenty of women who go to Planned Parenthood, without wanting an abortion?

If you have any stories to share on this topic, please share in the comments. I look forward to reading them all.

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