At this point in the book Abby has taken over as the Planned Parenthood director for a clinic in Texas and the first few weeks turn out to be very eventful . . .
As the new director of Planned Parenthood Abby had two goals she really worked to accomplish:
Because of Abby’s horrible experience with the chemical abortion through a method known as RU-486, she strongly advocated against the use of this form of abortion, especially after the six week point in a woman’s pregnancy. Out of fear, Abby trained her employees to provide informed consent for chemical abortion RU-486. When clients insisted on aborting by RU-486 she emphasised that employees tell patients that, “it might be bad -- really bad.” Many women called the clinic after taking the pills because there were experiencing severe bleeding and cramping, and thought they were dying. Abby was especially concerned for patients who returned for a surgical abortion after a failed or incomplete chemical abortion.
One day a young woman came into the clinic asking for advice regarding a chemical abortion. She had no money but obtained four abortion pills. Abby wanted her to be safe and offered a free chemical abortion, which the woman obtained. A week after the woman’s abortion she came back and was still pregnant! The woman was 7 ½ weeks along in her pregnancy with a healthy baby, this woman took it as a “sign from God” and chose to keep her baby!
As is common in the pro-life movement, Abby speaks of overly zealous pro-lifers who are not very gentle in their approach, very different from the conduct of Coalition for Life. These people would show up now and again outside of the Texas Planned Parenthood and cause problems. “Even as a believer in women’s right to choose, I hated to see such actions strengthen the cause of abortion, and that is precisely what they did.” Abby Johnson, Unplanned (88).
The good actions of many can be quickly over looked when there are such horrible actions by others: In one week, Abby once received three death threats, one at home, one at work, and one stuck to the windshield of her car. One even mentioned Abby’s daughter Grace by name and said it’s “too bad” she will no longer have a mom. Abby’s peaceful demeanor with Coalition for Life volunteers was compromised by these notes. Something that really struck out to me is when Abby looses her temper over the situation. After witnessing a clinic protester taking photographs of clinic patient's license plate numbers, Abby called out to the peaceful Coalition for Life volunteers, “He solidifies your opposition against you.” Abby Johnson, Unplanned (89).
One day Elizabeth, a Coalition for Life volunteer, left a beautiful bouquet of lilies for Abby with a car reading:
This loving act from Abbey’s opposition touched Abby deeper than we can imagine! More is accomplished by treating others kindly than threatening them with hateful speech.
Standing In Defence of the Voiceless,
- Reduce the numbers of abortions by pushing contraception.
- Create a strong relationship between Coalition for Life and her Planned Parenthood.
Because of Abby’s horrible experience with the chemical abortion through a method known as RU-486, she strongly advocated against the use of this form of abortion, especially after the six week point in a woman’s pregnancy. Out of fear, Abby trained her employees to provide informed consent for chemical abortion RU-486. When clients insisted on aborting by RU-486 she emphasised that employees tell patients that, “it might be bad -- really bad.” Many women called the clinic after taking the pills because there were experiencing severe bleeding and cramping, and thought they were dying. Abby was especially concerned for patients who returned for a surgical abortion after a failed or incomplete chemical abortion.
As is common in the pro-life movement, Abby speaks of overly zealous pro-lifers who are not very gentle in their approach, very different from the conduct of Coalition for Life. These people would show up now and again outside of the Texas Planned Parenthood and cause problems. “Even as a believer in women’s right to choose, I hated to see such actions strengthen the cause of abortion, and that is precisely what they did.” Abby Johnson, Unplanned (88).
The good actions of many can be quickly over looked when there are such horrible actions by others: In one week, Abby once received three death threats, one at home, one at work, and one stuck to the windshield of her car. One even mentioned Abby’s daughter Grace by name and said it’s “too bad” she will no longer have a mom. Abby’s peaceful demeanor with Coalition for Life volunteers was compromised by these notes. Something that really struck out to me is when Abby looses her temper over the situation. After witnessing a clinic protester taking photographs of clinic patient's license plate numbers, Abby called out to the peaceful Coalition for Life volunteers, “He solidifies your opposition against you.” Abby Johnson, Unplanned (89).
One day Elizabeth, a Coalition for Life volunteer, left a beautiful bouquet of lilies for Abby with a car reading:
The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with JOY. Psalm 126.
I’m praying for you Abby!
This loving act from Abbey’s opposition touched Abby deeper than we can imagine! More is accomplished by treating others kindly than threatening them with hateful speech.
Standing In Defence of the Voiceless,
Timmerie Millington
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