"Just wanted to thank you for the opportunity to be a part of the Resource Fair at Heald College in Roseville. I enjoyed getting to meet people and letting them know about APC's presence in the community. It was great to, in essence, hear people say 'where have you been all this time?' I know that events like this help connect us with the greater community, who, desperately need a lifeline to truth.
"I believe God led me to connect with a woman, who was searching for truth. Attracted to the fetal models, we struck up a conversation pertaining in part, to her pregnancy. What amazed me was that this was not so different from what we, as client advocates, do at the clinic. Except that we may have a window of two minutes versus twenty to connect with a person on some sort of a level...I was amazed to find that this woman was very receptive to hearing the information that was in our pamphlets and the Lord led me in a line of conversation that I knew, was so timely for this woman and would stay with her for a very long time.
Since her vision involves helping other women, I've now realised that it wasn't just this one woman that I've potentially resourced through and connected to APC...it means that I may have resourced and connected a generation of women and men that this woman will one day acquire in her sphere of influence. And the best thing is, they get connected with truth and practical support.
"It was a great learning experience...I'm realising that those people out there, are the same people that may one day find themselves walking through the doors of our clinics because they or people they know will need what we provide."
Here at APC we know that God moves in mysterious ways, and His presence at our center is undeniable. This is most evident when a young woman come in abortion minded and leaves excited to be a mother June 15th was a day when God spoke truth and love through one of our precious client advocates, into the life of a woman who was at a crossroads.
You see, this young woman came in wit the weight of the world on her shoulders. The father of the baby was no longer a part of her life yet, sadly, wanted her to abort. She had scheduled an appointment at a local abortion clinic for the very same day that she came to see us. The desires of the client's mom and sister were that she keep the baby. Her sister made an appointment at APC on behalf of her sister and brought her here. When the sisters came in, the sister spoke on behalf of the client. As they sat in the lobby waiting to be seen the room was quiet and the atmosphere was tense. Soon they were ushered into one of our comfortable and serene intake rooms to speak with the client advocate. The situation was dire.
This all changed. As I approached the client advocate room, in order to administer the pregnancy test, I could hear laughter and the sounds of joyous voices. Words of truth were so evidently presented through our client advocate. This mom chose life!
It gives me goose bumps every time I think of how little time it takes for God to shine His light and change the lives of those living in darkness.
Dignity: "The bearing, conduct, or speech indicative of self-respect or appreciation of the formality or gravity of an occasion or situation."dictionary.com
I never get tired of seeing a baby in a belly. Little feet, tiny nose, strong spine, big yawn...I always get choked up when I witness a woman having an ultrasound. I am also aware, first hand, of how much time we take with each person that walks in our door and requests a service. From the receptionist, to the Client Advocate, to the Nurse...we make the time necessary to answer questions and give dignity to the moment. We exist because we care for the Life of the woman, the child and the family.
Today I was especially struck by the mindfulness and professionalism of Nurse Ashley as she performed an ultrasound. Her care of this young woman was consistant with APC's mission of promoting compassionate care for each life. Nurse Ashley took over 40 minutes checking each inch of the baby's tiny body, while making sure the client was comfortable and informed.
I am amazed daily at the impact of this precious ministry and the dignity it gives the individual during their most important decision making moments.
I am humbled by our Partners who support us--allowing us to offer all of our services FREE OF CHARGE so that we do not profit from a woman's choice.
Alternatives Pregnancy Center. Dignity.
Written by Tricia Lewis, Development Director
Monday, December 6, 2010
Dr. Miriam Grossman's article in Townhall.com in March 2008.
Shocked By Miriam Grossman, M.D.
The response to the CDC’s report last week that 25% of teen girls carry a sexually transmitted infection suggests that this comes as a shock to many, including some in our sex education industry.
This is reminiscent of the scene in Casablanca in which Captain Renault tells Rick that he is “shocked - shocked! - to find that gambling is going on in here”, and then quietly collects his winnings.
The pandemic of STIs in this country is a logical consequence of the way we educate kids about sexuality. Until an “extreme makeover” of our methods takes place, young people – especially girls – will continue to pay an awful price.
Consider an organization like SIECUS ( Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States ), the leading voice for sexuality education in this country. Their Guidelines for Comprehensive Sexuality Education is in widespread use: over 100,000 copies have been distributed, and it is downloaded at the rate of 1,000 per month. Thanks to this document, our children are instructed from a tender age that “all persons are sexual”, that “both boys and girls have parts of the body that feel good when touched”, and that “couples have varied ways to share sexual pleasure.” Mind you, this is what they deem appropriate for five to eight year olds. While acknowledging that “early involvement in sexual behaviors poses risks”, one of SEICUS’ “inherent values” is that “young people explore their sexuality as a natural process in achieving sexual maturity.”
With that message coming from professionals, we shouldn’t be surprised to learn that 34% of girls are sexually active by fifteen. That figure goes up to nearly 80% five years later, with over a fifth of all fifteen to nineteen year olds reporting two or more partners in the past year. Hey, they are exploring their sexuality; it’s only “natural”.
For a teenage girl in 2008, “exploring” her sexuality places her at risk for some two dozen different bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi. She is likely to be infected soon after her sexual debut. This is due to the prevalence of these organisms, their ability to infect without symptoms, the widespread practice of casual sex with multiple “partners”, the inconsistent and improper use of condoms, and to a girl’s physiological vulnerability.
SEICUS emphasizes that “sexuality is a central part of being human,” and it wants our kids to know that it is “a natural and healthy part of living.” That may have been an important message for young people to hear when the organization was founded some forty years ago. But things have changed. We’re fighting a battle against a multitude of new bugs, and the bugs are winning.
Unlike Casablanca’s double-dealing police chief, SIECUS can’t have it both ways. It can’t claim to be fighting disease while celebrating the very behaviors that cause disease. Organizations responsible for protecting our children have a choice to make. Either acknowledge that remaining infection-free is not a goal of their curriculum, or begin telling kids, especially girls, to delay these experiences. Tell them “exploring” is likely to be followed, sooner or later, by regret, while “waiting” has only benefits. Sexual experiences may be “central” to being human, but so are many other things that have no place in the life of an adolescent. That so many American girls have a sexually transmitted infection should come as no shock. Rather, the shock should be at the madness in our country that we call sexuality education.
Miriam Grossman, M.D.Miriam Grossman, M.D. is a board certified child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist. She is author of the new book "You're Teaching My Child What?"
I am often at the bedside of a patient at the end of their life. Usually, and sadly, they are often alone, unable to speak and scared. It is a poverty that so many people are left alone to die, as families disconnect from each other, physically, emotionally and spiritually. It is both humbling and a privilege to be with, and to serve people at the end of their life; especially those abandoned in the hospital at their last hour. How ironic, that the woman in a crisis pregnancy and her unborn child are often in the same dilemma or predicament as those abandoned at the end of their lives...most are scared, alone and confounded by the pressures of life, such that they experience a poverty of support.
I think Mother Teresa left us a blueprint for what our response should be in both situations
"It is not how much we do, but how much love we put in the doing. It is not how much we give, but how much love we put in the giving."
When a person feels alone, abandoned and in despair, panic and darkness can easily take residence so that one simply loses the will to carry on and gives in to that despair. Our mission at Alternatives, is to lead kindly, through compassionate care and advocacy, a person in crisis 'to the light', so that no matter what ultimately happens, the person receiving care at APC, leaves our clinic knowing that we care for them.
Today, the nurses were scanning a client whose real connection to her child began the moment she saw her child on the ultrasound image projected on the screen over her head, and in that instant, she broke down in tears with amazement and joy. "It's really a baby?!" she cried as the we handed her tissues and completed our medical report. The storm we face in this fight to shed light on the truth is that most women are misinformed about the very human nature they possess in their pregnancy. Whether they are told by the abortion industry who stands to profit from her unplanned pregnancy, there is nothing but a 'blob of tissue' or some other lie, the ultrasound waves wash over the unborn child, revealing human form, human movement, and a beating heart. Diagnostic imaging, a veil lifted to reveal a truth, so that a connection can be made between a mother and her child. Does every ultrasound result in a connection? Not always. But, can it save lives and bond human beings to each other before birth? Inexplicably so, and our staff has been witness to it, time and time again.
Those who support Alternatives through their time, their talent and their treasure are really the foundation of this wonderful bulwark; like pillars and bricks of a long weathered lighthouse. Standing on the shore at the edge of a large storm...a powerful light always seeking out those who are lost and need help.
In charity, we provide free medical services, in a safe and compassionate setting, where a woman can receive free pregnancy testing, limited obstetrical ultrasound, parenting/sexual health courses, post abortive care and client centered counseling that places her welfare & that of her unborn child as our first priority. In that spirit, the light that ultimately is shed upon her is truth, compassion and love. No matter what she decides, no matter where that journey takes her, our doors remain open to her, like a beacon to a safe harbor.
This is Jennifer. You guys gave me my first ultrasound in August and I just wanted to update you on the status of my pregnancy. I am now 15 weeks pregnant & ENGAGED! Oh boy! The baby is perfectly on schedule and I will find out the sex on November 23. I can't wait!!! I just wanted to reach out to you guys to say thank you for all you did for me. I needed the support in the beginning and I totally believe in what your team and organization does for young girls! Even though I am an adult and was being careful a surprise pregnancy was the last thing I saw coming in life and it can throw you for a loop! I am now very excited to become a Mommy in April of 2011!
Oh and both sides of out families are ecstatic! I attached my most recent ultrasound to show you guys the little peanut. I hope all is well and your organization keeps growing and networking. Thanks again!
It’s a simple truth; the circumstances we find our selves in today are a direct result of decisions made yesterday, and our future will be effected by the decisions we make today. It applies to all areas of life; school, relationships, health, everything. As obvious as this seems to be, it is a truth that eludes many from time to time. How many times do we hear people say “If only I knew”?
Many women who have made the devastating decision to abort in the past, have said to us; “If only there had been a place like Alternatives Pregnancy Center for me.”
We want women to know. We want to be there for them. We want them to know what is going on inside their body, and the stages of fetal development. We want them to know the risks associated with abortion procedures. We want them to know about adoption options. To know they have options, and that they are not alone, is the most powerful help they can receive.
Our volunteers are trained to help women to look past her fears and empower her to make a decision she can live with the rest of her life. We believe women should have medically accurate and compassionate information before choosing how to handle an unplanned pregnancy. It’s exciting that over 85% of women will choose life for their child when given this type of support!
We help women find hope and strength to walk through the “valley of despair” created by yesterday’s poor choices. We are here for her, to empower her in decisions today, so she can celebrate her tomorrows!
