Showing posts with label Save the Storks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Save the Storks. Show all posts

Sunday, January 20, 2019

Don't Forget Post-Abortive Fathers Suffering in Silence, Save the Storks Leader Says

The organization has built over 40 mobile medical units to help mothers make the choice to give life to more than 4,000 children, their website states.


By Brian Showalter
Christian Post

A leader in the pro-life movement says the conversation around abortion in America is changing, and urges supporters not to forget about post-abortive fathers who often suffer in silence.
"When people talk about how I'm pro-life and radical this and radical that, I let them know that I'm probably more pro-choice than they think I am. And that confuses people because they don't understand it," said Victoria Robinson, director of external relations for Save the Storks in a sit-down interview with The Christian Post at the Trump International Hotel before a black-tie banquet Thursday.
Nearly two-thirds of women feel pressured into an abortion, she recounted, stressing the need to lower that number through education, making sure women know all of their choices. And people are realizing that what they have done in the past hasn't worked.
"Attacking the other [pro-choice] side isn't a good way to handle anything. Nobody ever gets anything done screaming at each other. Because nobody is listening to each other," Robinson said.
The shift in conversation is personal for Robinson as approximately 30 years ago she chose abortion after her husband abandoned her and her two children. She got involved with another man and became pregnant and had another abortion. The abortion clinic staff told her that her pregnancy was at such an early stage it was just a clump of cells, that she would get over it, and that it was the best option for her given the circumstances.




Victoria Robinson, external relations director for Save the Storks. 
"Immediately afterward, I knew it was something I would regret for the rest of my life. And it was," Robinson told CP.

A decade later she found help through a local pregnancy resource center and their post-abortive counseling ministry. It was there that she found hope that there is life and forgiveness after abortion. Today she urges those like her to share their stories, and believes it's essential for those voices to be elevated to frame the discourse.

"Stories sell. Facts tell people things, and people love to hear facts. Some people love all those numbers an stats. But to the majority of people, a story will sell them and move them to action," she explained.

The mission of her organization, Save the Storks, is about love, compassion, and action, "not about screaming in people's 
faces."

"You'll never see us walking around with dead babies on picket signs or calling people murderers if they're walking into an abortion clinic. We always lead with love compassion and action.

Far too often missing amid the swirl of strong feelings about abortion is how men are devastated by it. Nine out of 10 times couples split after an abortion, Robinson says. In her own journey after her abortion she grew to despise not only her ex-boyfriend but all men who left the women in their lives in similar situations.
"I felt it was his fault that I had to deal with all these ramifications from our choice. He's going on with his life, he seems so happy, we had a lot of the same circle of friends. I never ran into him but I heard about his life," she said.
"And it infuriated me. Here I was trying to get through my own healing, carrying all this hatred and unforgiveness toward this guy, as well as all other post-abortive men. I hated them all," she continued, recalling that she thought they seemed to move on with no sense of remorse.
But she knew when she wrote her book, “They Lied to Us,” a compilation of stories from women who had abortions, that her ex-boyfriend would probably hear about it. Even though she changed his name in her story to protect his identity she felt like she should call him. When he answered the phone and heard her voice he started weeping profusely, so much so that she could not understand what he was saying.



Monday, October 22, 2018

Save the Storks Shows HBO's John Oliver Why 4 Out of 5 Moms Are Choosing Not to Abort Their Babies

Mobile Medical Unit Outside an Abortion Clinic in Troy, NY
(PHOTO: INSTAGRAM/SAVETHESTORKS)
By Jeannine Law
Christian Post


The pro-life nonprofit organization Save the Storks has released a powerful Mother's Day campaign video showing pregnant women who are choosing not to abort their unborn babies after receiving free sonograms outside of abortion clinics on Save the Storks buses.

In response to a recent attack on Save the Storks by HBO's John Oliver, the organization decided to show why their ministry is so effective. Save the Storks believes their Mother's Day video will redefine what is possible for pro-life Americans.
"There are untold millions who have long been eager to come to the aid of would-be mothers in crisis; millions who believe they have limited opportunities to make a real difference. That changes today. This Mother's Day campaign gives pro-life Americans the tools to make an impact wherever they are," Victoria Robinson, director of external relations at Save the Storks, said in a statement shared with The Christian Post.
"Had information and resources like this been available to me when I was a young mother in crisis, I would have made vastly different choices. Every would-be mother has a fundamental right to understand all of her options during pregnancy, and we can't wait to see how expanding on the success of Storks will transform countless lives forever."
Save the Storks' video was prompted by an episode of "Last Week Tonight" that aired on April 8 titled "Crisis Pregnancy Centers." The episode claimed that organizations like Save the Storks ".... deceptively steer women away from abortion." The segment featured strong criticism of Save the Storks and Oliver rolling out his own mock crisis pregnancy van.

The pro-life group's Mother's Day video campaign created by the Harmon Brothers hits back at Oliver and went viral, showing the real purpose for their Save the Storks buses. The video, titled "Thousands of women have changed their mind on abortion after visiting a Stork Bus. Why so many?," is the agency's first major campaign.



The video has been viewed over 200,000 times on Facebook alone and was shared by nearly 5,000 people.
"Being an organization that believes in sharing the truth, without condemnation or judgement, we wanted this video to reflect the heart and mission of Save the Storks. Our faith calls us to be responsible in doing do just that. We've conveyed that message in this video, and are getting an amazing response," Robinson told CP of the overwhelming support they've received.
Christian Post article continues here

Thursday, June 14, 2018

Men Break Down in Tears Recalling Abortions, Talk Depression, Decades of Guilt


By Stoyan Zaimov
Christian Post

A social media campaign from a pro-life organization is highlighting the stories and confessions of several men this week who encouraged their partners to have an abortion, which they say has led to decades of guilt.

Victoria Robinson, director of External Relations at Save the Storks, explained in a statement Tuesday that the #ChooseFatherhood campaign will be releasing one video on social media a day leading up to Father's Day on June 17.

One video released on Facebook on Tuesday estimates that there are 55 million "forgotten men" in America who "bear the scars of abortion and suffer in silence."

The five-minute clip features four men, who aren't named, sharing various thoughts and feelings, with some breaking down in tears.
"I'm the father of five, but only got to raise three of them," says one man. "The first two didn't do anything wrong ... I didn't want to raise them. They didn't have a chance because they were both aborted."
Another explains that when he and his partner made a decision to abort their child, they were "too young, and there were other things we wanted to do."

He recalls watching the abortion procedure, saying, "I remember the whir of the motor and seeing these tubes that were being filled with red and white and the sound of suction."
A third man says when he found out his girlfriend was pregnant, "I was strongly encouraging her not to keep the baby ... I was adamant about it." After the abortion, he says "the weight of guilt was just so overwhelming for me."
A fourth man describes how "depression set in" for both him and his girlfriend. "It didn't just mess me up, it messed her up as well, mentally, emotionally. We both started drinking heavily which we didnt' do much of at all. We both started using drugs which we never did at all."
After the abortions, the father of three says in the evenings he would begin to cry, thinking about what was lost.
"And even though it's been decades since the first two were lost, obviously there's still an emotional place that comes up," he says, tearing up.
Calling the abortion "too easy" and "too quick," one of the men says he wishes someone was out there in front of Planned Parenthood "willing to just offer information and alternatives. I wish there had been opportunities to learn about other choices."

The men encourage others who are suffering guilt due to abortions to share their stories and talk to someone who will understand.

Robinson stated, "Over many years, I've shared my personal abortion story all over the country. Nearly every time I speak, men privately come up to me afterward and share their deep anguish, grief, and sense of loss. They tell me 'don't forget about us, don't forget about the men.' Post-abortive fathers have for too long suffered in silence, and their stories need to be part of the national conversation.
"Today, as four men boldly step out and share their stories publicly for the first time, we want all post-abortive fathers to know they're not alone, they're not forgotten, and they don't have to be silent anymore.
"We're asking men to do two things, watch these videos, and then publicly share their stories in social media this Father's Day, so that others will not repeat their mistakes, and their painful losses will not be in vain."

Watch the Save the Storks video below:
Christian Post aritcle continues here


Thursday, June 8, 2017

Just Get Rid of It” – The Words that Haunted Me Throughout My Teen Pregnancy


Submitted By
Valerie Via Social Media
Save the Storks

Waking up to another bad dream makes it so hard to go back to sleep. The same dream over and over. I was mid-way through my pregnancy and the nightmares of having you taken from me as soon as I gave birth left me breathless.

No chance to hold you, no chance to kiss your face, no chance to see you. I laid there crying out, “My baby, my baby.”
These nightmares would come off and on and I would rise up in the bed in the stillness of the dark night with tears streaming down my face. My shaking hand would rub my growing belly.

Scared and alone are not even close to describing the heartache of the thought of not holding you. The words of “just get rid of it, we can get it done and over with” repeated in my mind. The hurt of those words spoken over me.

I cried out to the Lord, but I felt as if my voice was snuffed out by the darkness in my room.
The excuses would cycle in my mind. Maybe I was being punished for this unplanned pregnancy, maybe it was because of the running away from everything I knew growing up, or the partying.

The isolation of all this fear kept me chained. I felt as if I could not get away from all the thoughts. Walking into church as a pregnant 18-year-old left me full of doubt and fear. The whispers and the stares. Then the night would repeat itself.

Night after night, the enemy was winning as I was struggling with the same nightmare of my precious baby being ripped away from me. 


Voices for Life is an e-publication dedicated to informing and educating the public on pro-life and pro-family issues. To read our Mission Statement, use this link.  Follow us on FacebookGoogle, and Pinterest.  Help us spread the pro-life message by sharing our articles on your favorite social networks.

Pregnant, need help or know someone who does?  


National Hotline: Call 1-800-712-HELP or Text 'HELPLINE' to 313131.
In Southeast Penna:  Call or text 610-626-4006  

If you or someone you know is suffering after abortion, confidential non-judgmental help is available.  Call Project Rachel's national toll-free number 888-456-HOPE (4673) or visit hopeafterabortion.org.  

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Baby Saved From Abortion After Mother Sees Him Waving on the Ultrasound


By Save the Storks
Live Action News

The following story comes from the CURO Women’s Care Clinic of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, PA.

A missed period. A home pregnancy test. Two faint lines. When I found out I was pregnant four months ago, I launched into panic mode.

I wasn’t scared for the normal reasons a pregnant 21-year-old would be scared. Yes, I’m young, but I’m in a loving relationship, I’m financially stable, and I have a supportive family. I was scared because, for me, being pregnant could be a matter of life or death.

Three years ago, my boyfriend, Darren, was diagnosed with testicular cancer. While radiation treatment saved his life, he was told it might cause serious problems in his reproductive future. He was warned that his future children might be born with deformities and the mother of his children might be harmed by the pregnancy.

It was heartbreaking to be so paralyzed by fear over something my boyfriend and I would otherwise be excited for. Everyone around me was saying abortion was my only option, so I scheduled an appointment.
FacebooShar
When we arrived at the clinic, Darren and I couldn’t help but notice a large bus parked in the parking lot. It advertised free ultrasounds and pregnancy tests. I was curious and knew I would need an ultrasound before I had an abortion, so we poked our heads in.

We explained our situation to the nurse in the bus. She listened to our fears and concerns with deep sympathy.

Voices for Life is an e-publication dedicated to informing and educating the public on pro-life and pro-family issues. To read our Mission Statement, use this link.  Follow us on FacebookGoogle, and Pinterest.  Help us spread the pro-life message by sharing our articles on your favorite social networks.

Pregnant, need help or know someone who does?  


National Hotline: Call 1-800-712-HELP or Text 'HELPLINE' to 313131.
In Southeast Penna:  Call or text 610-626-4006  

If you or someone you know is suffering after abortion, confidential non-judgmental help is available.  Call Project Rachel's national toll-free number 888-456-HOPE (4673) or visit hopeafterabortion.org.  

Monday, May 8, 2017

Pregnant and Alone, Everyone Told Me to Get an Abortion — But I Chose Life for My Son


By Save the Storks
Live Action News


“There’s been so much in my newsfeed lately regarding the debate between pro-life and pro-choice and the rights and ethics behind each stance.

I know I share many of those posts, but rarely do I speak about why.

I used to be like many of my pro-choice friends. I understand the temptation behind abortion. The “quick fix” solution can be an easy sell when your demographic is a terrified woman.

But then I faced my own unplanned pregnancy.

It only took a couple weeks to be bombarded with all of the reasons I was unqualified to be a mother.

I was currently an undergrad student. I was single. I was broke. The father was not in love with me. I was raised without my father in my life and “how dare” I do that to another child.

I am sure there were many more reasons I have fortunately forgotten about by now. Voice after voice telling me how much easier it would be to “get rid of it,” that I would “quickly move on.”

But it wasn’t until I started hearing the voices that told me all of the reasons I was qualified to be a mother that the fear began to subside.

I was caring, nurturing, determined, intelligent and resourceful. It was also a surprising revelation that above all else, I felt that God knew I was qualified to be a mother.

Abortion doesn’t give choice, it gives fear. It feeds on hesitation and doubt.

So when I applaud at the thought of abortion being restricted, it is not because I hate your right to choose, it is because I know from experience that you are capable. Capable of facing uncertainty, standing up for yourself and knowing that you don’t need to kill a child to reach your full potential.

I feel sorrow for the women in my position who didn’t have the voices of qualification whispering in their ear. We have painted over the act of abortion with words like “choice” “empowerment” and “rights.” We’ve wrapped it up in a pretty little bow so women will embrace it. And it’s worked.

So when you speak to me about abortion, your rights, and your choice and I don’t respond with the same enthusiasm, know it is because I think you are worth more than your right to kill.

Editor’s note: This article originally appeared at Save the Storks, and is reprinted here with permission.


Voices for Life is an e-publication dedicated to informing and educating the public on pro-life and pro-family issues. To read our Mission Statement, use this link.  Follow us on FacebookGoogle, and Pinterest.  Help us spread the pro-life message by sharing our articles on your favorite social networks.

Pregnant, need help or know someone who does?  


National Hotline: Call 1-800-712-HELP or Text 'HELPLINE' to 313131.
In Southeast Penna:  Call or text 610-626-4006  

If you or someone you know is suffering after abortion, confidential non-judgmental help is available.  Call Project Rachel's national toll-free number 888-456-HOPE (4673) or visit hopeafterabortion.org

Thursday, May 4, 2017

Unmarried Christian Woman About to Abort Her Baby Changes Her Mind After an Unexpected Encounter




By Jay Gotera
Christian Today


An unmarried woman who "fit the role of a perfect daughter and perfect Christian" in a very religious family in south-west Florida found herself in a major quandary when she discovered she was pregnant.

In her testimonial recently published by the pro-life group Save the Storks, the unnamed woman said she was stunned when her gynecologist told her she was carrying a baby.

At that time she was thinking, 

"I couldn't have a baby right now with everything that was happening in my life — large work commitments, a possible wedding in the future, and my mom's health. I could think of a hundred more reasons why a baby just wouldn't work."
She said she and her boyfriend, Dan, grew up in Christian homes and had been taught to wait until marriage before sex and pregnancy.

She felt she couldn't bear the shame when her family found out about her pregnancy.

"Being pregnant would mean that everyone would know who I really am," she wrote.
Despite her boyfriend's opposition, the woman decided to make an appointment at an abortion clinic outside their town.
"I knew abortion was wrong, but it was a wrong that I could hide," she said.
However, when a doctor was about to take her into the examination room, she walked out of the clinic instead.

And then she saw three words written on the side of a giant purple bus parked outside the building: "You Have Options."

A female member of the Save the Storks pro-life group then approached her and invited her and her boyfriend to come inside.



Voices for Life is an e-publication dedicated to informing and educating the public on pro-life and pro-family issues. To read our Mission Statement, use this link.  Follow us on FacebookGoogle, and Pinterest.  Help us spread the pro-life message by sharing our articles on your favorite social networks.

Pregnant, need help or know someone who does?  


National Hotline: Call 1-800-712-HELP or Text 'HELPLINE' to 313131.
In Southeast Penna:  Call or text 610-626-4006  

If you or someone you know is suffering after abortion, confidential non-judgmental help is available.  Call Project Rachel's national toll-free number 888-456-HOPE (4673) or visit hopeafterabortion.org.  




Friday, April 21, 2017

We had 100 reasons why we could’ve chosen abortion, but my boyfriend and I chose life.


By Save the Storks
Life News


The following story comes from Gulf Coast Storks in Southwest Florida.

(Save the Storks) The gynecologist put her hand on mine as she told me I was pregnant. I was in shock. I couldn’t have a baby right now with everything that was happening in my life—large work commitments, a possible wedding in the future, and my mom’s health. I could think of a hundred more reasons why a baby just wouldn’t work.

My boyfriend, Dan, and I were both raised in very religious families. While our parents were loving and supportive, we knew no one would be happy about a baby coming before the marriage ceremony. We were taught to do things the “right” way and we knew this didn’t fit that mold. Until this point, I fit the role of “perfect daughter” and “perfect Christian.”

Being pregnant would mean that everyone would know who I really am.
I made an appointment at an abortion clinic outside of town—I couldn’t risk the chance of running into someone who knew my family. Dan came to the appointment with me, but made it clear that he didn’t support my decision. However, he loved me and wanted a future with me, so he was willing to put aside his own feelings and beliefs on the subject.
After all, it was my decision and my body. Right?
When we arrived at the clinic, we saw groups of people on the sidewalk holding signs. One sign in particular stood out. It said, “If You Believe, Leave.” It had a large cross on it. I did “believe,” so what was I doing here?  I wanted to turn around right then, but all I could think of was the shame and embarrassment that would come with being pregnant. I knew abortion was wrong, but it was a wrong that I could hide.

We parked and walked toward the clinic. Dan gripped my hand and reminded me that we didn’t need to go in. I just kept walking.


As I filled out paperwork in the office, I began to cry. Was I making the right decision? When my name was called I started to feel like I couldn’t breath. I got up, but instead of going down the clinic hallway, I walked right outside. Dan followed me. I was so confused. Through tears I told him that I didn’t think I could go through with the abortion, but that I also couldn’t go through with the shame of a pregnancy. It felt like I had no options.

At that moment, I looked up and saw a beautiful purple bus with images of flying birds covering the sides. In bold letters it said, “You Have Options.” A woman standing near the bus was watching me. She walked over and asked if she could do anything for me. She said that she might be able to help us.


Live Action News story continues

Voices for Life is an e-publication dedicated to informing and educating the public on pro-life and pro-family issues. To read our Mission Statement, use this link. Follow us on FacebookGoogle, and Pinterest. Help us spread the pro-life message by sharing our articles on your favorite social networks.

Pregnant, need help or know someone who does?  


National Hotline: Call 1-800-712-HELP or Text 'HELPLINE' to 313131.
In Southeast Penna:  Call or text 610-626-4006  


If you or someone you know is suffering after abortion, confidential non-judgmental help is available.  Call Project Rachel's national toll-free number 888-456-HOPE (4673) or visit hopeafterabortion.org.  


Friday, April 14, 2017

Post-Abortive Father: Children Don’t Destroy Dreams, They Fulfill Them


By Cassy Fiano
Live Action News

Lairs Johnston may be most well-known among pro-lifers as the marketing director for pro-life group Save the Storks. But he revealed something else about himself in a new op-ed: he’s also the father of an aborted baby.

At 21, Johnston and his then-girlfriend found themselves facing a crisis pregnancy. They did what they thought was the best thing to do, and got an abortion.
“I wasn’t ready for a kid, she wasn’t ready for a kid,” he wrote. “It’s kind of like the saying goes, ‘You only know what you know’ — and up to that point, all I knew is that kids draw on walls and ruin dreams.”
The decision to have an abortion was seemingly a positive one. Johnston’s career flourished. 
“Because I had my girlfriend get the abortion, I went on to do what society would consider ‘incredible things.’ I have over a billion views on YouTube, I’ve started careers for artists that are now making millions a year, I’ve even worked with artists I grew up idolizing as a kid,” he said.  “Truth is, I couldn’t care less about any of that.”
Johnston admits that he wouldn’t have experienced many of the career highs if he had encouraged his girlfriend to keep the baby — no fancy parties, no rubbing elbows with celebrities. But looking back, he’s come to realize that it wasn’t worth it. “I wish I knew how much better my life could have been with a kid in it,” he admitted.

Because of the abortion, Johnston said that he was left a broken, lost man. It was an encounter with a three-year-old boy named Judah that changed his heart, and made him realize there was more to life. He now works with Save the Storks to prevent abortions, to make the idea of abortion “unthinkable.”

Live Action News story continues

Voices for Life is an e-publication dedicated to informing and educating the public on pro-life and pro-family issues. To read our Mission Statement, use this link. Follow us on FacebookGoogle, and Pinterest. Help us spread the pro-life message by sharing our articles on your favorite social networks.

Pregnant, need help or know someone who does?  


National Hotline: Call 1-800-712-HELP or Text 'HELPLINE' to 313131.
In Southeast Penna:  Call or text 610-626-4006