Category: Stories

Deborah’s Story:

Hello. My name is Deborah and I came to Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) a few months ago after searching on the internet. Since the first day I visited, Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) has been very supportive of me. My aim when I came to Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) was to get rid of my baby, but they educated me and gave me support in a way I had never experienced before. Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) has helped me on my journey spiritually, emotionally and physically.

Because of their support, my husband and I have decided to keep our baby. Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) referred us to an amazing doctor who is taking care of  my baby and me. Through Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid), I have met people and groups that have helped me, my family, and my friends.

Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) has been a very, very supportive system. We can’t wait to have the newest member of our family join us in just a few more months!

Cheryl’s Story:

Volunteering at Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) is a blessing and a joy. My name is Cheryl, and I serve as a client advocate. I met Deborah one Friday when she came for a pregnancy test. She didn’t want to be pregnant; this was not a good time for her to have a baby.

As we talked, I learned about time that Deborah had spent in a refugee camp, about her marriage to her husband while there, and then about them being chosen to come to America . . . ending up in Kansas City. Now here she was in our office, sitting right across from me – a beautiful mom, a wife with career goals and plans for her future. Another child was simply not in her plans at that time. We talked, I gave her information, and she even had a chance to meet with the nurse. She left without making any decisions.

A few weeks passed and we learned she had decided to continue the pregnancy . . . such wonderful news to us! She also decided to begin our Journey’s program (education during pregnancy), and she and I now meet each week. We have developed a beautiful relationship and we continue to talk about her goals and dreams. What an amazing woman she is . . . and what a privilege it has been to be a small part of her life!

How Can We Help?
No one should be alone, trying to make an important decision completely on their own. Maybe you don’t have anyone in your life you can talk to. Maybe you just don’t want anyone you know to find out. Maybe you just need a friend.

Whatever the case, we are here. In fact, we are here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through our hotline (913.962.0200). Not ready to make the phone call? That’s ok. You can chat with us through our online chat box at the bottom left.

But if you are ready to talk, just click the Book an Appointment button and pick a time that works best for you. You don’t need to talk to us today – but we are here when you are ready. And each month, girls just like you click that button and take the first step toward finding help, finding hope, and finding a beautiful relationship!

 

Often on this blog, we hear from women who made the brave decision to choose life for their unborn child. Their decision, while not always easy, often brings fulfillment and joy into their lives. Knowing that they don’t have to do this alone many times makes this difficult situation just a bit more bearable.

We have a unique opportunity this time to hear from the daughter of a brave woman who chose life for her twins. Because of her unwillingness to abort these two unborn daughters – even in the face of opposition from those around her – two very special young ladies now have a voice in this world. And what a special voice it is! And she didn’t have to do it alone.

Rian’s Story

My name is Rian, My mom is Nicole and I have a twin sister names Reis. We are 14 years old. When my mom was 17 years old, she got pregnant. You can’t imagine how astounded she was to figure out she wasn’t having just one baby, but two!!! My mom’s friends as well as my biological father wanted her to abort, but she didn’t. Although my mom raised us as a single mom, I couldn’t have asked for anything better.

I am extremely blessed that my amazing mom kept and cared for my sister and me. I think having a young mom is so great! We have so much fun in so many ways. I can tell my mom anything!

I have heard many stories from my mom and family about the struggles of being young and having kids. But every story I hear ends with, “But I wouldn’t change a thing.” Yes, there are some stories that aren’t all that great, yet they have helped shape my mom into the responsible adult she is today. Being able to connect with a place like Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) and receiving help there has helped my mom raise my sister and me. We have grown into the outgoing and loving twins we are today, which is what we are known for.

Through the guidance my mom received from Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid), she learned although being a young mom is hard, she will always have a support system behind her. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for the things Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) does that helped form my mom into the great one she is today!

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If you know of someone who is experiencing an unexpected pregnancy, and they feel their only option is abortion, please share us with them! The very real help – both physical and emotional – that we can offer them could make all the difference.

Each month, girls from all over Kansas City take the brave step of clicking the Schedule Button. They don’t have to talk to anyone right now. Just set up a time when they can come in and meet with a Client Advocate. No pressure . . . just honesty, love and help!

“You have got to be kidding me!”

Rebecca was staring at the pregnancy test in her hand.

It was positive.

Being pregnant was the last thing she needed right now.  Her life was already way too complicated.  She was fighting a drug habit.  She and her boyfriend were both in trouble with the police.  In fact, there was a warrant out for her arrest.

It would be so easy to call an abortion provider and schedule an abortion.  But Rebecca didn’t do that.  She chose to continue her pregnancy.  She decided to carry the baby to term, and place this child for adoption with a couple that desperately wanted a child.

And because Rebecca chose adoption, I have a granddaughter.  Because Rebecca chose adoption, my daughter and her husband became parents.  And I have a granddaughter.  That sweet little girl is 7½ years old.  When she walks into our house, the room fills with light.

When Rebecca saw that positive pregnancy test, where was her first place to turn?  Did she call her mom?  Did she call her best friend?  Or did she call Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid)?  I don’t know.  But in my mind, I can very easily picture her walking through the doors of Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid), and meeting one of the Client Advocates.  I can picture her receiving a friendly smile, compassionate care, and honest, truthful information that helped her make the decision she chose.

I have decided that the sweetest word in the English language is “Grandpa.”  And whenever I hear that word from my granddaughter’s lips, it makes my heart skip a beat.  I am madly in love with that girl!  And so, that is why I volunteer at Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid).  I want other Rebeccas to choose life.  I want other men just like me can hear to that sweetest word spoken by their grandchild – “Grandpa.”

Shared by Dr. Mark Johnson, who currently serves on the Board of Directors for Two Lines Pregnancy Clinic (formerly Advice & Aid Pregnancy Center).

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If you, or someone you know, is facing an unplanned pregnancy, we want you to know that you are not alone as you make choices for both you and your baby. The idea of adoption can be overwhelming. We are here to help.

While Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) does not handle adoptions personally, we do partner with a number of licensed, fully trusted adoption agencies in our area. We can help you walk through the entire process with one of these recommended agencies so that you are not alone.

All it takes is an easy click – Schedule an Appointment with us just to talk. No pressure here. Just compassion, honesty and options.

 

Malinda is a volunteer here at Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid), and has willingly given us permission to share her story so that others can realize there is hope in the midst of a difficult situation. All client experiences with Two Lines Pregnancy Clinic (formerly Advice & Aid Pregnancy Center) are kept with the highest confidence. The stories that are shared come from the real-life experiences that our clients, staff and volunteers had during their unplanned pregnancy.

Her name has been changed, but her story is true.
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My Story Begins
Very Young & Unexpectedly Starting a Family
I never thought I would ever consider abortion. My boyfriend and I were very committed to each other and had talked about getting married. He had already graduated from high school and our plan was to wait until the time was right. We would continue to date after I graduated from high school and I would go to college.

But I became pregnant the summer after I graduated from high school.

When we discussed our options, I immediately rejected adoption and abortion. We both wanted to keep our child and we felt that this just changed our plans of when we would marry. However, we knew that our families would not be pleased with this news. His family received the news better then we expected but my family did not. They did not want me to marry or keep the child and pushed me to consider either adoption or abortion. I quickly rejected both options.

Our Family Grows – And Unexpected Complications
Estranged from my family, my boyfriend and I married when I was 8 months pregnant. We lived with his parents and made plans to eventually move out and start our lives together. After our son was born, I reconciled with my family. Much to our surprise, three months after giving birth, I once again became pregnant. Again, abortion was never an option. My thinking was, “We’re married now. A growing family is normal.” We had another son, but it quickly became evident that he was born with health problems that would put a strain on our marriage and finances. However, I was committed, through thick and thin, that we would be in this together. I would do whatever it took to make things work. My husband continued to struggle to find steady work but I was able to find a full-time job. We found a small but affordable duplex to rent and I felt like things would finally settle into a routine, until three months later, I discovered I was pregnant again. Frightened that we would have another child with health issues, I did contemplate abortion a bit more but decided against it. I felt that since we knew this pregnancy was high-risk, I would just be super careful and watch things carefully. Thankfully, our 3^rd son was born perfectly healthy. However, the responsibility of our growing family was a causing a bigger strain on our marriage. Since our middle son needed 24-hour nursing care that we couldn’t afford and I couldn’t be his caregiver because my job was supporting us, we decided to place him in a state hospital that was three hours away. We would still be his legal guardians but he would be somewhere that would be able to give him the specialized care he needed.

The Unthinkable During a Hard Time
My husband was still unable to keep a steady job to support us and the burden fell to me to make ends meet, so I began a part time job in addition to my full time job. Several months later, I became pregnant again. Our marriage wasn’t good, and I was stretching myself thin working two jobs and taking care of two babies at home and parenting our other one from a distance. I felt like I couldn’t take the addition of another child from a man who wasn’t willing to take on the responsibility of our growing family. Unaware of anywhere to turn to for help, abortion felt like it was the only option for this pregnancy. I told my husband what I was planning on doing. While he didn’t want me to abort, he didn’t try to stop me.

I squeezed the appointment into my hectic schedule thinking it would be a
solution to my “problem.”

It wasn’t.

My marriage was still rocky, I was still working two jobs and caring for 3 small babies and the ‘termination’ of one of my babies–the sibling to my boys–was always lurking in the back of my mind. Time went on and our middle son passed away when he was six. Not too long after that, my husband and I divorced.

Through the friendship of a co-worker, I joined a Bible study and began to deal with my past abortion and start the healing process. It was there that I met a wonderful man who committed to caring for me and my boys, and we were married.

A Purpose – Helping Other Women Just Like Me
One Sunday, the church we attended had a guest speaker from a local organization called Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid). They help women who find themselves in an unplanned pregnancy, and they looking for volunteers. I immediately decided to become a volunteer to help women who found herself in the same position I had just a few years earlier. Abortion is never the only option and I wanted to assist an organization that is dedicated to help women know that. After attending a New Volunteer Information meeting, one of the volunteer requirements for anyone who experienced an abortion is mandatory attendance of an Abortion Recovery Class. I was excited to attend because I wanted to help other ladies and share my story with them if it would help them during such a stressful time. The class is appropriately called Forgiven and Set Free, and it helped me to further sort through all the emotions I had gone through during that time of my life. It even helped me deal with feelings I had been experiencing after my abortion. The leaders were caring and always mindful of the confidentiality for everything discussed and shared by the participants in the class. Every exercise and discussion was thoughtfully planned out to help me as we walked the journey of healing together.

After completing the class, I then chose where I would be most beneficial to the women who came to Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) for answers to all their questions. I have volunteered in different capacities over the years. It has been so satisfying to serve, to love on and listen to those who are hurting like I was and be here for anyone who comes through Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid)’s doors.

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To learn more:
Our Programs
Additional Stories

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If we can help you in any way, don’t hesitate to contact us. We can be reached several ways:
Website: www.twolineskc.com (a private Chat Box on every page)
Online Scheduling: Scheduling (You won’t even need to speak with anyone during the scheduling process)
Hotline: 913.962.0200 (Monitored 24-hours a day)

 

Gifts are typically on the minds of most Americans this time of year. . . finding the right gift, receiving the right gift, even figuring out how to pay for all of those gifts.

Some gifts are more costly than others. And sometimes, a gift simply cannot be measured in value because the cost – and the benefit – is far too magnificent.

This is the story of one family receiving the gift of life. They desperately wanted to grow their young family, but were unable to do so on their own. That is exactly when one brave young woman stepped in to help provide a gift that they could never have dreamed of. While this young woman had the difficult choice of choosing life for her unborn, along the way she also received the immeasurable gift of acceptance and friendship through Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) during the months she carried that child. In fact, the gift she received from Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) so impacted her young life that she, in turn, now helps others.

And the family she gave the gift to? You have to hear their story in their own words.

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For Additional Adoption Stories:
Michelle’s Story of an Open Adoption
Jenny’s Story of Adoption

John and Tanya are  willingly giving us permission to share their story so that others can realize there is hope in the midst of a difficult situation. All client experiences with Two Lines Pregnancy Clinic (formerly Advice & Aid Pregnancy Center) are kept with the highest confidence. The stories that are shared come from the real-life experiences that our clients, staff and volunteers had during their unplanned pregnancy.

Their names and parts of their story have been changed to protect their identity, but their story is true.

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When my partner and I found out that we were expecting – unexpectedly – we really didn’t know where to turn.

Having a baby was not in our plans.

We weren’t ready in any way; emotionally, financially or mentally. This was not a good time, and we simply believed that this was not the right thing for us.

Once the shock wore off a bit, we decided to do some research into what our options were. It was through online search that we found Two Lines Pregnancy Clinic (formerly Advice & Aid Pregnancy Center). Not really knowing what to expect, we made an appointment to speak to them, thinking almost up to the time we left to meet someone that we would not go. However, it felt like something was propelling us toward them, so we went – walking in the door with great apprehension and our minds definitely not made up as to how this would turn out.

The next 30 minutes made a huge difference in our lives. After meeting with a Client Advocate there, we were immediately put at ease. Our Client Advocate was warm, helpful and not judgmental in any way. She gave us facts about all of our options.

But most importantly, she helped us see that, by being a part of the larger family there at Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid), we would not have to go through anything alone.

We left, knowing that we had friends who would be beside us every step of the way. We also left, having made up our minds to keep this baby, and learn along the way – with others and with help – how to care for it.

We learned much over the next several months at Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid). Most helpful to us was their Bridges Program (to read more about that, click here) and how this two-year program helped provide not only for our physical needs (like diapers and wipes, formula and clothes), but also gave us a place to learn how to parent, to connect with others in our shoes, and to gain valuable knowledge that could help us as we deal with the trials of life.

Through the next couple of years, we attended many Bridges meetings. Each time we attended, we earned “dollars” that could be spent right there at Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid)’s “store,” which contained the items we desperately needed for our baby. We went through a study called “Love and Logic” that provided knowledge for us to be able to work with each other as we raise a child. To this day, we use the principals taught in that study. Most of all, we received support. We always had someone there for us to talk to, to give us help and advice on parenting, and to make sure we knew we weren’t alone.

When we first started at Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid), we had no idea how much the program would affect our lives. The amount of help and care that we received from their volunteers and staff has been wonderful. We felt like family from the moment we walked in their doors. Words cannot express how grateful we are to have been a part of this program. We would not change a single thing about the way they worked with us. Being a part of Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) (and their Bridges Program) is something we will take with us for the rest of our lives.

Without this program, we don’t know where we would be – and are grateful to have been a part of it.

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Additional help if you or someone you know is expecting:
Two Lines Pregnancy Clinic (formerly Advice & Aid Pregnancy Center) has additional programs to help. To learn more, check out these posts:
Our Bridges Program
Our Journeys Program
Our Labor & Delivery Program