Comme ci, comme ça.

In wake of the videos surfacing about Planned Parenthood selling baby parts I feel called to share my story.

The first time I had an abortion I was 21. I had grown up in a Christian home and raised pro life. I started dating “B” when I was 20. I had a crush on him since I was a teenager and when he started showing romantic interest in me I was on cloud nine. He had been one of my closest guy friends and I thought that was the foundation for a great relationship. It was really good for a while but then “S” reentered both of our lives. She was his ex-girlfriend and supposed to be one of my good friends. She didn’t like that he and I were together and wanted to prove to me that he still had feelings for her. He broke up with me the day before my 21st birthday. We stayed “friends” and he would still text me and tell me he knew he was making a mistake. He used to call me the only good girl left. By December we were back together and did really well for a few months. In March “S” had weaseled her way back in and “B” and I broke up. On April 1st I realized my period was late and ran out and bought a test. It was instantly positive. I was was floored. I knew what caused it but I was a “good girl” and things like that don’t happen to me. “B” and I were still on good terms so I called him and told him. It being April Fools Day, he didn’t believe me. I drove to his house with my positive test and showed him. We were both at a loss for words and agreed to talk about things when we both had time to think. A week or so later he convinced me that an abortion would be the best option. I agreed because at the time I really believed that. I was young, working retail, living at home. He was not working at the time and didn’t want to be a dad. We were not together and I wanted my baby to be raised with parents who were in love. I don’t exactly remember when i told my mom but it was after I had decided to get an abortion. She did not support it at all. She would only refer to it as me killing her grandchild. I went to Planned Parenthood for my first of 2 appointments. They did an ultrasound to make sure I was really pregnant. Once that was confirmed they made me watch a movie. In the movie you “followed” the lives of 3 women who were pregnant and made different decisions. The first girl chose adoption. It depicted her having a tough pregnancy and a hard time giving her baby up to its new parents. The second girl chose to mother her baby. She had to go on welfare and even lived in her car. The third girl choose abortion and was able to finish college and live an awesome life. After that I talked to a “counselor” who went over the options in more detail. She told me that at 21 and living with my parents I would probably never go to college or do anything other than work minimum-wage jobs. She said raising a baby was tough And it would be hard for me to get ahead. She then explained the 2 types of abortions to me. The surgical abortion where the baby is manually ripped out of a mothers womb or the pill abortion where the body is forced to miscarry. I was early enough to get the pill abortion and that seemed more “natural” so I went with that route. I came back to the clinic a week later to start the process. I took one pill there and they gave me one to take 24 hours later. The first pill filled my body with different hormones and killed my baby the second pill expelled it from me. I had taken the weekend off. The lady at Planned Parenthood told me i would bleed but it shouldn’t be more than a heavy period, I would have slight cramps and I might be nauseous and dizzy. I laid in my bed at my moms on a plastic trash bag because there was so much blood. I had cramps so bad that I couldn’t stretch my body out and I would get dizzy and vomit anytime I got up to go to the bathroom. My only saving grace was my grandma. MaMurl brought me soup and hot tea. She ran me a bath and changed my bloody sheets. She took care of me. My mother didn’t support my decision so she pretended like nothing was happening. The second day I was still needing badly but it had eased up and so had the other symptoms. I felt like hell. “B” was upset that I didn’t let him go with me or help. I was so ashamed that I didn’t want anyone around. I felt like I had to carry this “burden” alone. I found out years later that “B” didn’t think I was actually pregnant or had an abortion. I didn’t ask him to help pay for it because he didn’t have a job. He thought I made it all up to keep him around. Eventually, I pushed it out of my mind and moved on completely.

The second time I was 24 and living in Richmond. I had become the perfect brainwashed liberal. I had been sleeping with this guy for months now and was on birth control. Birth control is not 100% effective and I got pregnant. I made the first appointment at planned parenthood before I told him. I went into this appointment knowing I would get an abortion and hoping I could get the pill abortion again. The surgical one was to much for me. With the pill I could pretend that I was just having a miscarriage and not killing my child on purpose. I went home with my information and talked to the guy. He was/is a nice guy and offered to pay for it and drive me. I let him pay for it because at this point I honestly couldn’t afford it. A week later I took the first pill and 24 took the second. This time was a little easier at first. I bled less and my other symptoms were less severe. This time however I passed a baby. I can’t be 100% sure that what it was but I started cramping hard and went to the bathroom. Something hard came out of me. It was not baby shaped or anything. It was brown and hard and a rough oval shape. I started crying because what I was doing became real.

At the time i was very much the poster child of a planned parenthood supporter. I was blind to what really happens. I believed the lie that I was stopping a life and thought that I should have total freedom over my body. I was really uneducated on the topic but talked like I knew everything. I would lie and say I didn’t regret my decisions and because I had an abortion I would life a happy and healthy life. As time went on it took me recommitting my life to Christ, finding an amazing man, marrying him and trying to start a family of our own before i regretted it. I remember going to the doctor after finding out we were pregnant. I felt ashamed when she asked how many time I had been pregnant ,two. How many children, none. Then i had to tell her I had an abortion. That first doctor visit didn’t go as planned. We had miscarried. At first, I felt like God was punishing me for what I had done it the past. I didn’t expel the baby naturally and had to get a D&C. We had just gotten married and I was not covered by his insurance yet. It was cheaper for us to have the procedure done at Planned Parenthood. I remember sitting in the office waiting room for the third time and my heart was heavy. This time I wanted my baby more than anything. This time was different. I knew that over half the ladies in the room were their for abortions and it broke my heart. I felt the weight of the two babies i killed on my heart.

For those who support planned parenthood I have a few things to say. #1- I was absolutely pushed in the direction of an abortion. The first time I was open to other options and they made me think that was my only one. The info they give in abortion is much greater than of other options. She made me think that. My life would be hell if I had that baby. #2- A lot of Planned Parenthood supporters say you’ll never regret your decision. That’s bull. I regret it every day. It may not be immediately but it will come. I was a huge pro choice supporter. One day you will wake up and it will weigh heavy on your heart. You may not admit it but it will come. #3- sure Planned Parenthood offers other services at their offices. Take a look at any office and the percentage of abortions will be at least 50% or higher of the total services preformed.

Why do the words “Pro-Life” make some people so angry? The words literally mean “FOR LIFE”.

Because school is coming up, I figured I would make a big list for everyone! This list is everywhere that I know but if you have any other places please feel free to add them! Please know that to get these discounts you must show your ID or ask when you order! I’ve included as many links as I can for the stores but if some don’t work please let me know! Happy savings, students :-)

FOOD

BURGER KING: 10% off  CHICK-FIL-A: free small drink with order CHIPOTLE: free small drink with order DAIRY QUEEN: their website says they have one but I haven’t gotten a chance to go in and ask yet. Their Student Discount section is towards the bottom under LOCAL COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS.  FIREHOUSE SUBS: their discounts may require a partnership with the school so please ask about the discount to see if stores not near campus still offer the discount with your ID HARD ROCK CAFE: offers a student/discounted menu. Hard Rock cafes are located in Hard Rock Casinos. (I’ve included a link of their locations) KROGERS: 5% discount off total order PIZZA HUT: 10-20% off  (depending on store) SWEET TOMATOES: 10% off  (website says many stores but not all so please ask about it at your local store) SUBWAY: 10% off  (again at specific locations so please ask about it at your local store) TCBY: 15% off WAFFLE HOUSE: 10% off

CLOTHING STORES AND ONLINE SHOPS

AMAZON: 6-month free trial on Amazon Prime ANN TAYLOR: 20% ofF ASOS: 10% off  BANANA REPUBLIC: 15% off full-priced items CHARLOTTE RUSSE: 10% off  CLUB MONACO: 20% off items EASTERN MOUNTAIN SPORTS: 20% full-priced in-store items EDDIE BAUER: ask about discounts at local store GOODWILL: 10% off   J-CREW: 15% off in-store JOANNS: 10% discount (Please know for people 14 and older, they offer discounts if you bring in your report card as well! They also require you to sign up online. Link in the name.) JUICY COUTURE: 15% off  KATE SPADE: 15% off THE LIMITED: 15% off in-store MADEWELL: 15% off in-store MODCLOTH: 10% off RALPH LAUREN: 15% off SALLY’S BEAUTY SUPPLY: sign up online for coupons SAM’S CLUB: requires membership  STEVE MADDEN: 10% off TARGET: varies, mainly online TOM’S: 10% cash back TOPSHOP: 10% off URBAN OUTFITTERS: 10% off on Student Days. (You can sign up online for alerts when these are. Link in name)

ELECTRONICS AND TECH STUFF

ADOBE: 60% on Creative Cloud APPLE: various savings (You must input your school and other information. Link in name) AT&T: 10% discount (You must input your school email address. Link in name) BEST BUY: sign up for student discounts and coupons DAS KEYBOARD: special pricing through website DELL:  discounts on laptops and tablets FUJITSU: 5% on LIFEBOOK notebook and PCs. (You must call 1-800-FUJITSU for the deal) HP: various discounts through website JOURNEYED: various discounts through website MICROSOFT: various discounts. (Check through your school as well to see if they have partnerships with Microsoft) NORTON: various discounts through website SONY: up to 10% off (You must register to get the discount. Link in name) SPRINT: various discounts (Check with your provider. Link in name) T-MOBILE: 10% off monthly bill (Check with your provider. Link in name) VERIZON: up to 20% off monthly bill (Link in name is to the EMPLOYEE DISCOUNTS page. Input your school email to see if you qualify.)

ENTERTAINMENT (BOOKS, MOVIES, NEWS, MUSEUMS, ETC)

AMC THEATRES: discounted tickets on Thursdays (Check local listings) AMTRAK:sign up for a Student Advantage Card and get 10% off tickets (Link for signing up in name) BARNES AND NOBLE’S:various discounts through website (Link in name. If you don’t click SHOP through the above link the discount won’t go through!) CARNEGIE HALL: $10 student rush tickets on select performances CINEMARK THEATRES: discounted tickets on student days (Check local listings, Link in name) GREYHOUND: sign up for a Student Advantage Discount Card and get up to 20% off tickets. (Link for signing up in name) REGAL CINEMA: discounted tickets available (Check local listings) MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL: offers student discounted tickets (Check local team pages) MADAME TUSSAUDS: 15% your ticket THE MET: register for The Met Student and receive discounted tickets (Link in name) NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE: offers student discounted tickets (Check local team pages) NEW YORK TIMES: discounted print and unlimited online (Requires signing up. Link in name) WALL STREET JOURNAL: $1 a week (Requires signing up. Link in name)

Because school is coming up, I figured I would make a big list for everyone! This list is everywhere that I know but if you have any other places please feel free to add them! Please know that to get these discounts you must show your ID or ask when you order! I’ve included as many links as I can for the stores but if some don’t work please let me know! Happy savings, students :-)

FOOD

BURGER KING: 10% off  CHICK-FIL-A: free small drink with order CHIPOTLE: free small drink with order DAIRY QUEEN: their website says they have one but I haven’t gotten a chance to go in and ask yet. Their Student Discount section is towards the bottom under LOCAL COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS.  FIREHOUSE SUBS: their discounts may require a partnership with the school so please ask about the discount to see if stores not near campus still offer the discount with your ID HARD ROCK CAFE: offers a student/discounted menu. Hard Rock cafes are located in Hard Rock Casinos. (I’ve included a link of their locations) KROGERS: 5% discount off total order PIZZA HUT: 10-20% off  (depending on store) SWEET TOMATOES: 10% off  (website says many stores but not all so please ask about it at your local store) SUBWAY: 10% off  (again at specific locations so please ask about it at your local store) TCBY: 15% off WAFFLE HOUSE: 10% off

CLOTHING STORES AND ONLINE SHOPS

AMAZON: 6-month free trial on Amazon Prime ANN TAYLOR: 20% ofF ASOS: 10% off  BANANA REPUBLIC: 15% off full-priced items CHARLOTTE RUSSE: 10% off  CLUB MONACO: 20% off items EASTERN MOUNTAIN SPORTS: 20% full-priced in-store items EDDIE BAUER: ask about discounts at local store GOODWILL: 10% off   J-CREW: 15% off in-store JOANNS: 10% discount (Please know for people 14 and older, they offer discounts if you bring in your report card as well! They also require you to sign up online. Link in the name.) JUICY COUTURE: 15% off  KATE SPADE: 15% off THE LIMITED: 15% off in-store MADEWELL: 15% off in-store MODCLOTH: 10% off RALPH LAUREN: 15% off SALLY’S BEAUTY SUPPLY: sign up online for coupons SAM’S CLUB: requires membership  STEVE MADDEN: 10% off TARGET: varies, mainly online TOM’S: 10% cash back TOPSHOP: 10% off URBAN OUTFITTERS: 10% off on Student Days. (You can sign up online for alerts when these are. Link in name)

ELECTRONICS AND TECH STUFF

ADOBE: 60% on Creative Cloud APPLE: various savings (You must input your school and other information. Link in name) AT&T: 10% discount (You must input your school email address. Link in name) BEST BUY: sign up for student discounts and coupons DAS KEYBOARD: special pricing through website DELL:  discounts on laptops and tablets FUJITSU: 5% on LIFEBOOK notebook and PCs. (You must call 1-800-FUJITSU for the deal) HP: various discounts through website JOURNEYED: various discounts through website MICROSOFT: various discounts. (Check through your school as well to see if they have partnerships with Microsoft) NORTON: various discounts through website SONY: up to 10% off (You must register to get the discount. Link in name) SPRINT: various discounts (Check with your provider. Link in name) T-MOBILE: 10% off monthly bill (Check with your provider. Link in name) VERIZON: up to 20% off monthly bill (Link in name is to the EMPLOYEE DISCOUNTS page. Input your school email to see if you qualify.)

ENTERTAINMENT (BOOKS, MOVIES, NEWS, MUSEUMS, ETC)

AMC THEATRES: discounted tickets on Thursdays (Check local listings) AMTRAK:sign up for a Student Advantage Card and get 10% off tickets (Link for signing up in name) BARNES AND NOBLE’S:various discounts through website (Link in name. If you don’t click SHOP through the above link the discount won’t go through!) CARNEGIE HALL: $10 student rush tickets on select performances CINEMARK THEATRES: discounted tickets on student days (Check local listings, Link in name) GREYHOUND: sign up for a Student Advantage Discount Card and get up to 20% off tickets. (Link for signing up in name) REGAL CINEMA: discounted tickets available (Check local listings) MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL: offers student discounted tickets (Check local team pages) MADAME TUSSAUDS: 15% your ticket THE MET: register for The Met Student and receive discounted tickets (Link in name) NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE: offers student discounted tickets (Check local team pages) NEW YORK TIMES: discounted print and unlimited online (Requires signing up. Link in name) WALL STREET JOURNAL: $1 a week (Requires signing up. Link in name)