In this chapter Abby shares about her first experience as an intern at Planned Parenthood. Her first day on the job she escorts women from their cars in to the clinic for their abortion appointments. The lesson in this chapter shows how pro-lifers on the other side of the fence helped shape Abby’s view of abortion at that time . . .
The battle between Planned Parenthood’s clinic escorts and pro-lifers begins: As a clinic escort Abby was trained to meet women at their car doors when they pulled up to the clinic and to quickly start speaking to the client; so sidewalk counselors on the other side of the fence wouldn't have an opportunity to intercept the client before entering the clinic. A constant battle throughout the morning continued of who would be the first person heard by each woman arriving at the clinic for an abortion. The escort would begin talking to cover up anything said by the sidewalk counselors, and sidewalk counselors would begin to speak louder for the abortion minded woman to hear them. I understand where both sides are coming from at this moment, but what about the woman? Could you imagine being in the middle of what is clearly a battle ground with two sets of people talking to you?
From my personal sidewalk counseling experience, these are the very few moments that you have to grab the ladies attention, to counsel her on her decision, and to provide both resources and options. So, the first things that come out of a sidewalk counselor’s mouth are words that show care, offer help, or share about the development of the child within her. The short period of time you have to possibly save a life can cause sidewalk counselors to become desperate. A heartfelt plea can quickly change to speaking too loud and participating in the battle of who can speak louder; you or the clinic escort. This is where the woman is going to be startled and scared, in the midst of a decision that already wasn’t easy. This woman may have traveled for hours to obtain an abortion, and she may feel desperate.
The women Abby escorted that day would at least stop and look at the pro-lifers to try and see what was going on, but some of what they saw did not come off as loving, or even friendly. Abby’s account of a few pro-lifers on the sidewalk (please think of this from Abby’s perspective or from the perspective of the women standing in the parking lot): one man dressed like the Grim Reaper waving a scythe in the air, an older man accompanied by a sign saying ‘murder’ in bloody red paint, and an enraged woman marching up and down the sidewalk with an aborted baby sign which she hoisted up and down. Now these were not the only people on the sidewalk that day, they were joined by others who were quietly praying or sidewalk counseling, but the sincerity and peacefulness of many was easily over looked due to the behavior and signs of the others. It’s no wonder some women are frightened to even approach sidewalk counselors and prayer warriors.
I’m sure most of you reading this agree with me when I say this is very sad, and for two reasons. One, clinic workers and the clients could look at the entire group on the sidewalk as lunatics, when that isn’t the case. Two, those pro-lifers who are rough in their approach are so angered by the loss of thousands of children daily to abortion that this is what they feel they have to do. I can see why some would walk up and down a sidewalk with a sign. The killing of a child is wrong whether inside or outside of the womb, and that’s what these people are trying to get across. Unfortunately though, that’s not how hearts are changed. We must encourage and engage with others. A sign saying ‘murder’, dressing up in a costume, and an aborted baby picture can quickly close the doors of encouragement and conversation with women, and men, at an abortion clinic. (This is my personal belief regarding aborted baby signs: there is a time and a place to educate with them. However, at an abortion clinic, those signs turn women away quickly so that side walk counselors are not able to engage them in conversation. Again, there is a small window of opportunity to save a life, and it is here where a graphic aborted baby sign can end that opportunity quickly.) Would you walk up to someone with a sign that says ‘choose life’ and ‘we care about you’? Or to someone with a sign that says ‘murderer’? I would want to know why someone says they care about me in a sign. Sometimes the simple gestures and encouraging signs of life are what make the largest impact.
“So why do we feel we need to protect clients from conversations about their choices? What does it hurt if they hear information and make the choice to leave?” --Unplanned, Abby Johnson
On Abby's very first day at Planned Parenthood, she questioned why Planned Parenthood didn't want the woman to hear what sidewalk counselors had to say if Planned Parenthood is for a woman’s right to choose. In addition Abby thought women should be informed and able to make the choice best for them. Abby shares that at this moment she felt very confused and questioned her place at Planned Parenthood.
“On my first day as a Planned Parenthood volunteer, the confrontational and hostile demeanor of a few in the pro-life crowd not only colored my perception of their movement but solidified my commitment to Planned Parenthood. Though my first day had been baffling, one thing was clear to me: those on my side of the fence were defending and helping women, as we protected them from those on the other side of the fence.”
--Unplanned, Abby Johnson
There is a strong chance that had all the pro-lifers outside of Planned Parenthood that day been dressed like normal people and conducted themselves in a more gentle way... Abby might not have moved forward in her journey at Planned Parenthood thinking she needed to defend the right to choose.
From my personal sidewalk counseling experience, these are the very few moments that you have to grab the ladies attention, to counsel her on her decision, and to provide both resources and options. So, the first things that come out of a sidewalk counselor’s mouth are words that show care, offer help, or share about the development of the child within her. The short period of time you have to possibly save a life can cause sidewalk counselors to become desperate. A heartfelt plea can quickly change to speaking too loud and participating in the battle of who can speak louder; you or the clinic escort. This is where the woman is going to be startled and scared, in the midst of a decision that already wasn’t easy. This woman may have traveled for hours to obtain an abortion, and she may feel desperate.
On Abby's very first day at Planned Parenthood, she questioned why Planned Parenthood didn't want the woman to hear what sidewalk counselors had to say if Planned Parenthood is for a woman’s right to choose. In addition Abby thought women should be informed and able to make the choice best for them. Abby shares that at this moment she felt very confused and questioned her place at Planned Parenthood.
“On my first day as a Planned Parenthood volunteer, the confrontational and hostile demeanor of a few in the pro-life crowd not only colored my perception of their movement but solidified my commitment to Planned Parenthood. Though my first day had been baffling, one thing was clear to me: those on my side of the fence were defending and helping women, as we protected them from those on the other side of the fence.”
--Unplanned, Abby Johnson
There is a strong chance that had all the pro-lifers outside of Planned Parenthood that day been dressed like normal people and conducted themselves in a more gentle way... Abby might not have moved forward in her journey at Planned Parenthood thinking she needed to defend the right to choose.
Order Abby’s book and join this discussion: www.UnplannedTheBook.com
Checkout my reflection from:
Chapter 1, ‘The Ultrasound’
Chapter 2, 'The Volunteer Fair'
Chapter 3, 'The Power of a Secret'
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