The question for this weeks blog is: Who should we consider the most vulnerable? A Mom in crisis or the baby she is carrying? As someone new to Pro-life, I would have immediately answered, "the baby of course!" in the not too distant past. But, now that my understanding of the issues is broadening due to exposure to dozens of women in crisis pregnancies, I now come down on the side of the Mom for one reason: vulnerable Moms make life and death decisions based upon their vulnerabilities. If we can better understand and sympathize with what those vulnerabilities are, then, we stand the best chance of truly seeing her, hearing her and positively intervening in her situation.
What are some of her vulnerabilities? Well I'm glad you asked. Mind you, this list is not exhaustive but it does shed light on what modern Moms face. The list includes: loss of autonomy, loss of job and therefore loss of housing, food, transportation, coercion by co-parent or family, co-dependence on co-parent or family, increased mental health struggles, embarrassment, guilt, shame and many others. In speaking with dozens of women over the past two years, their perception of their current situation is often the only reality they see. That totally makes sense when you think about how the brain reacts in a crisis.
Enter Pregnancy Resource Centers or PRC's. Back in the day, a struggling single mom might have had neighbors or grandparents to rely on for temporary help. But now, the chances that Moms are more isolated from someone likely to intervene are much higher. Add to that fact that rogue agencies such as abortion clinics tend to swoop in and exploit vulnerabilities and it stands to reason that Moms need our support more than ever! This is why I lavish love on our local PRC's. No one else is equipped to walk the tough walk with that Mom and baby (and Dad) for the first year or two. No one. And should Mom decide to choose abortion, they are the only agency prepared to walk that hard road to healing as well. Oh, and did I mention that their services are free?!
So, now that I am whole life, my focus has shifted dramatically. I have found that the most important question I can ask in the midst of the storm is, "how are you doing?" Once a Mom in crisis experiences being seen and heard, she will typically open up to you about her vulnerabilities. And if this feels like it is overwhelming, you can walk her through the process of finding her nearest PRC by going online to optionline.org; Optionline.org will link Moms up with a PRC in their zip code. You may find that you will want to volunteer or support the PRC financially. And if you are post-abortive you may even choose to join their abortion recovery program. Or start one if they don't have one. IJS.
I promise I will compare and contrast Pro-Life and Whole Life in another blog. But, for now, love on Moms who are crying out as best you can and that love will translate to the baby in the most miraculous ways. Blessings! Sylvia