Category: Stories

The writer of this story is willingly giving 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.

We are sharing this letter with the hope that this person’s personal experience with life would enlighten an expecting mother on her option of providing her child with life. It is adoption, a loving option.

In the Beginning . . . Pregnant and Unsure of Where to Turn

Many years ago, a 27-year-old single woman found herself pregnant with a married man’s child. After telling the father about her condition, the two of them decided that an abortion was the best option. He gave her the money for the procedure, and the appointment was made. But as she was driving to the abortion facility, she began to worry about her personal well-being throughout the procedure. As she sat in the parking lot, doubt and fear overcame her. It just felt wrong. She could not go inside. For the next several months, she agonized about what she would do next. After all, she was single and a student attending the Kansas City Art Institute. She dreamed of becoming an art teacher, and a baby just did not fit into that plan. She had heard of a place in her area that was a safe place that would help single pregnant women. Their program was supportive of the mothers whether they wanted to keep the baby or place the child for adoption. During the decision-making time, women there were able to learn skills and crafts, and this young woman learned to crochet. She made her unborn child a beautiful pink outfit. Soon, a baby girl was born.

A Brave Decision Finally Made

This young mother went to live with her sister for a time while she made her decision of whether or not to keep her baby. Months passed before she ultimately signed adoption papers. She requested that the adopting parents take home their new daughter in the pretty little outfit that she had made for her. They not only honored the mother’s wishes, but they saved the outfit for the baby girl to have and know, later in her life, that her birth mom loved her. The baby girl was four months old when she was adopted by a loving couple. Her adoptive parents gave her a new name, but when she was old enough to understand, they told her of the adoption. They explained that her birth mom could not take care of her, and loved her so much that she was given to them to love and care for. They loved their daughter as their own.

A Life of Meaning and Gratitude

As you may have guessed, I am the baby girl who was adopted. It shocks me to know how close I came to never having a chance at the life I have lived! I loved my adoptive parents, and they fully loved me. I have lived a wonderful life and became a Registered Nurse to care for people. I have had the opportunity to help hundreds of them. I am married, have raised three beautiful daughters of my own, and have three wonderful granddaughters. My life of loving and caring for others includes being a registered nurse, having gone on eight mission trips to Africa and Ecuador, and I served the first responders following the September 11, 2001 attack in New York City. I add these things not to boast, but to say that my life has meant something to others in a positive way. Now I hope my story will help other scared and confused moms to know that there are options that include support for them. I want them, too, to choose life.

Meeting My Brave Birth Mother in Love and Admiration

I have always been so grateful that my birth mother chose life for me. So much so, that my husband and I spent time searching for her. We finally found where she was living, and I wrote her a letter informing her of the good life I have enjoyed and thanked her for bravely choosing life for me. I am eternally thankful. With the letter, I sent a picture of the outfit that she had made prior to my birth, to prove my identity. I still have the pink knitted outfit to this day. Three months after receiving my letter, my birth mother called me, and we talked for hours. We subsequently enjoyed a relationship for a few years before she passed away from cancer.

For anyone who is pregnant, scared, confused, and feeling alone, please know that there are choices you can make for your daughter or son. You are NOT alone! There is help and support for you. This can turn out to be a very good thing for both you and your baby. I am living proof!

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.

Start here – no judgment, no pressure at all. Just someone to talk to who has some truly helpful answers. Someone who wants whats best for you!

This woman has willingly giving 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 removed but her story is true.

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Dear Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid),

Almost 20 years ago I came into your office. I was 15 and in the 9^th grade. I had no adult support, and I was terrified of what my future held. Someone told me that you had an Education Program and that in your program I could get the support I needed to become a parent.

Back then, I felt like my only options were for me to drop out of school and get a full-time job, so that’s what I did. I worked and worked and worked. I went to your Education Program once a week, and every week I aimed to earn as many points as possible so that I could buy clothes, diapers, wipes, and anything else I thought my son might need. Every doctor’s appointment, every church bulletin, every Parents As Teachers play date worked like money to help me get what I needed from your “closet” of baby needs.

The first two years as a parent were hard. I had to overcome my insecurities. Just because I was a young mother did not mean that I was a bad or weak person. I didn’t have to be like my mother, and my kids could have what I knew other kids had. I looked forward to the parenting classes and the study groups I had access to because of Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid). I made friends in my group, and I didn’t feel so alone when I talked about people staring at me funny in the stores or when I expressed my frustration about not being taken seriously at the doctor’s office. I was gaining confidence as a parent and power as a young woman.

I have always remembered your program and how it helped me grow into who I am today. Upon leaving Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid), I earned my GED and finished a Bachelor of Arts in Middle School Education with a Language Arts Emphasis. I am a middle school teacher, Masters’s student, scout leader, and mother of three now. My oldest is 19 and taking on his 2^nd year of college as a firefighter and media manager. I have another son in the Criminal Law program at his high school and a daughter who is coming into her teen years. Without your program, I would have been alone in my early days as a mother. I would not have had access to the classes and other resources I need to provide a healthy home while I worked to build a life for my family. Thank you, Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid), for your support when I needed it the most.

AND NOW, 20 YEARS LATER . . . hear from her son, who is now a Lance Corporal in the United States Marine:

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Does this story of quiet determination, strength and power strike a chord in you?

You see, just because you are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy doesn’t mean that you don’t have choices. You do! And, like the young woman in the story above, you can choose to be strong, make it through, and experience a beautifully full life.

And the real beauty is that you don’t have to do this alone!

We know there is deep strength and resolve within you. Let us help you find that . . . let us help you be prepared . . . let us help you!

Start with the easy step of scheduling an appointment. Come talk to us. No pressure, no judgment, no agenda. Here, you’ll simply find honesty, acceptance and a friend.

April is national Abortion Recovery Awareness month, so we wanted to share with you one woman’s story of abortion, and how she moved toward releasing the regret and guilt that often accompanies an abortion. While every woman’s story is different, there are aspects to her story that perhaps you can relate to.

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I met him at a local mall. He was older than me, not by much, but old enough to have a car. He was as confused about life as I was. Both of us were looking for all the wrong things that we thought were right or at least what we wanted to be right.  

I’m really not sure why I sought the approval of him or sought his attention. I don’t really think it was about love. I had a great family, a mom and dad who were together, a church we attended, and the things I needed. Maybe I was just flattered …. maybe I was just trying to keep up with what was going on around me. Everybody else had boyfriends, and I thought that having a boyfriend made you a somebody instead of a nobody. Maybe I just wanted to fit in and feel important.  

I knew I was pregnant. I didn’t need a test. I had taken the class in school so I knew the signs. The hardest part was that, by the time I knew, he had already moved on. What would I do?  

There was a part of me that was excited. I loved babies and there was a part of me that already wanted the best for him or her …. eat right, get enough sleep, wear my seat belt.

But how in the world would this work? Do I drop out of school or do I try to manage both baby and school? What about managing baby, school, AND a job? What would people say? People I respected like teachers, friends, church members, my family, event my parents. Do I move away? Do I find a home for unwed mothers? What about the things I would have to give up, like school activities, my social life, dreams, and goals. If I’m going to be doing this alone, then what about the time and stress of it all. How do I go about getting child support? How do I pay for all of this? There would diapers, clothes, medical bills, formula, and things I hadn’t even anticipated.

What about adoption? How do I give up a piece of myself?

I eventually told my mom.   barely started the conversation and it was like she already knew what I was going to say. Saddened, disappointed, angry, fearful; these were just a few of her emotions.  

Not wanting to endure the hardship of people knowing, not even my dad, my mother turned to the idea of abortion. Quick, easy and painless; at least that is how it is promoted.  

I went to an abortion clinic in Overland Park and met with a counselor. They confirmed that I was pregnant and we scheduled an abortion date.  

I remember the day before my abortion having the cash to pay for it in my hands (several hundreds of dollars) and thinking I should just run away. I didn’t want to have the abortion, but I didn’t see any other way. I had bought into the lie that this was the best way out of my situation.

The day of my abortion is kind of a blur. I do remember thinking I was surprised at how many women were there in the waiting room with me. We were grouped into fours together with females our own age. One of the girls in my group was there for her 3rd abortion. She seemed kind of callous to the whole situation. I opted to be sedated, not wanting to remember anything.  My next memory is waking up in the recovery room, where I eventually got up, got dressed and left.  

Life moves on; at least that is how it is promoted.

I spent the next year or so convincing myself it was the right decision. I lied to my friends who knew I was pregnant, and told them the doctors had found something wrong with the baby and he/she wasn’t going to live anyway. I wrote a paper in support of abortion in my English class. I got back into school activities reminding myself I wouldn’t have been able to do these things had I not gotten the abortion.

Looking back now, I would change so many things. The first thing I would change was to not have put myself in the situation to get pregnant to begin with. The reality is that once you are pregnant, you have three choices and all three will leave a mark on your life. The second thing I would change is that I would never have had the abortion. But I now understand God’s ability to reach into our messes and redeem them.

Releasing the regret and guilt has been a journey. I can regret my choice, but I don’t have to live in the pain of it. I no longer sit in the sadness. I am free, I can breathe, I can release even this…..

Here is what I have done to release the mark of my regret and guilt…..

– I confessed my sin – Psalm 32:5 “I acknowledged my sin to Thee, and my iniquity I did not hide; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord;” and Thou didst forgive the guilt of my sin”

– I have sought the Lord’s forgiveness and all that goes with it – Psalm 51

– I beat back any lies from the enemy with the truth of scripture, knowing that I am blessed (Romans 4:7-8)
I am not condemned – Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

My prayer…..
Dear Lord,
Thank you for Your truth that shows me that I have sinned.  Thank you for your forgiveness that sets me free.  Protect me from the lies of Satan; may I hear Your voice clearly.  In Jesus Name, Amen

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If abortion is a part of your past, it unfortunately doesn’t always stay in your past. Regret, guilt, depression – these are all common symptoms of post-abortion. It doesn’t matter if it was 2 weeks ago, 2 years ago, or 20 years ago. They can all rear their ugly heads at any time.

But you don’t have to face these alone. We have women on staff here who have been through what you are experiencing. They know what you are going through and can help you get through this in a warm, non-judgmental environment. This is your safe place.

Feel free to call our office at 913.962.0200 and ask for Kelli. She is ready to talk with you and start you on a path to healing!

It was May 1997 and I was feeling alone & confused. I had just told my boyfriend I was pregnant and he replied that he wasn’t ready to have a child.  He wanted me to get an abortion.

I will be the first to admit this was not an ideal situation for me. I was already a single parent, on welfare, had no means of transportation . . . and pregnant again. I personally do not believe in abortion, so my only option was to convince my boyfriend to be happy about the pregnancy and support me through it. That is when I called Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid).

The director there was so helpful. She allowed me to borrow a video about what an abortion truly is so that I could show my boyfriend what he was asking me to do. While watching the video he didn’t show much emotion.  I knew he was not going to change his mind.

Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) became my main source of support. They helped me get to my appointments, let me go through their closet to get diapers & clothes, and threw a baby shower for me at the clinic. One time, a man donated his vehicle to Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) and they gave it to me so that I could get back on my feet. The man who donated the car was there the day I receive the keys. He said that if it wasn’t for people like me who choose to give life to their child, he would not have been a father, because his children were adopted.

God has made His presence known through Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid). I not only got physical help through the resources available, but I also made a great friend in the director. I will forever call her my angel on earth. She never took personal credit for anything; it was made clear to me that donations are what makes it possible for Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) to help women. 

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This story, that began with confusion and hurt, actually isn’t over yet. When our friend was in the midst of daily handling the circumstances that came with her choice of giving life, she couldn’t have seen ahead, 20 years into the future of what this baby boy would become. But today, we can see exactly what her choice has brought about.

That baby boy – the one who was on the verge of never getting the chance of life before he drew his first breath – has grown up to be a young man who values right and wrong. He has grown up with a strong sense of protecting others and a willingness to put himself in harm’s way to fight for our freedoms. That baby boy – who might not have been born, except for the brave choice of his mother – is now a Lance Corporal in the United States Marines and is currently serving overseas. He is someone you need to meet.

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It can be hard to think ahead when you are in the middle of the unplanned. Most often, you simply want it to go away. But we encourage you to stop, get the facts, and take a moment to look ahead. What might be the easy choice today might not be the right choice for your future. You truly are braver than you know – you just need someone to walk alongside of you. And that’s exactly what we can do!

The following was shared by one of our staff here at Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid). We hear many different stories as we talk with women in various stages of pregnancy. Those who choose adoption for their baby are often choosing the most loving, selfless gift imaginable. They are literally gifting another couple with a life. And for those couples desperately seeking a new addition to their family, this gift is simply beyond words. On the rare occasions when we get to see this come together, our hearts are filled with gratitude for all involved!

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We all have dreams. One common dream is of growing up, getting married and having a family. Yet, we discover that life does not always follow that path.

Recently one of our clients discovered that she was facing an unplanned pregnancy.  She was filled with anxiety. She did not believe that abortion was the answer. So when she came to Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid), adoption was on her mind from the very first visit.

Nonetheless, she attended our Journeys program and started learning about taking care of herself and being a good mom. However, at the same time, she continued to ask questions about adoption. As I got to know her more each week, I began to see her heart. She loved her baby so much. She asked questions that told me how much she was struggling with her decision.

And all this time, God was working; both in our client and in another family.

And as the details of life are so beautifully designed, this other couple was praying for a child. Because adoptive families are connected to our clients through outside adoption agencies, we often don’t know much about them. But we do know how deeply couples desire to be parents, and how they pray for those babies.

Our client was praying for a couple. That couple was praying for a baby. It was all being worked out, behind the scenes of what we could see. Our client had a baby boy and placed him with that couple who had prayed for a miracle. What a beautiful confluence.

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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.

Start here – no judgment, no pressure at all. Just someone to talk to who has some truly helpful answers. Someone who wants what’s best for you!