From: cookc@aix.rpi.edu (rocker)
Subject: Re: The Nurturing Network 1-800-TNN-4MOM
Date: Sat, 15 Aug 1992 06:09:29 GMT

forgach@noao.edu (Suzanne Forgach) writes:

>From article <92215.152601ADMN8647@RyeVm.Ryerson.Ca>, by Linda Birmingham <ADMN8647@RyeVm.Ryerson.Ca>:
>> 
>> While the majority of the quotes are Canadian, I am
>> sure Ms. Forgach if you did a little reading on the
>> topic you will find that feminist organizations
>> around the world have been lobbying and funding
>> such initiatives as you described above.  

>No, Linda.  They've been talking the talk, but they haven't been
>walking the walk.   Walk into ANY, and I mean ANY abortion alternative
>organization ANYWHERE, and you will not find even one pro-"choicer" among
>them.  It always has been and always will be the pro-lifers who provide any
>non-abortive help to pregnant women in trouble.

Then you are calling me a liar, Ms. Forgach.  I have posted many
times that when _I_ was facing a crisis pregnancy, I went to a debate
that featured the president of the local RTL chapter in a large city.
I approached him, and other pro-"life" people after the debate, asking
about where I might obtain pregnancy help.  Since I had identified
myself as pro-choice, they were all quite eager to do their Good Deed
for the day and "talk me out of getting an abortion".  Fairly
ridiculous, as I was about five months at the time and showing quite
a bit.  When I told them I had no intention of having an abortion,
they eagerly began telling me about adoption agencies in the area.
When I informed them that I was most certainly NOT considering adoption,
they completely lost interest, to the point of wandering away.  When
I asked again about pregnancy help (after following them), the most
concrete answer I received was "Well, you might try your church."
They didn't bother to ask if I attended church, and they ignored me
thereafter.

I must say, I was a bit stricken by this.  A member of NOW noticed
me standing by myself, and walked up and congratulated me on my
pregnancy.  I began confiding in her about the trouble I was having,
and was soon surrounded by a sympathetic crowd of feminists.  One
quickly offered baby furniture and clothes, others began telling me
about medical care available.  They offered phone numbers and advice.
One NOW member even bent the rules of a local congressman's phone
bank to allow me to make the calls from home after my child was born, 
thus providing me with a crucial source of income at a time when I
was unable to work elsewhere.  All the local NOW members I met, from
grandmothers to lesbians, were a constant source of support to me
at a difficult time.  Not a single one ever questioned my decision
to give birth.

I have questioned Bill Overpeck and others who say they are associated
with crisis-type pregnancy centers, none of them address the common
problems that I and many other women face during our pregnancies.
The number one problem is the exorbitant cost of prenatal care and
giving birth.  (One local hospital told me on the phone "We require a
deposit of $2300. cash before you enter the ninth month, or we will
be unable to admit you."  In an irritable mood that day, I replied
"So if I don't cough up the cash, I can have the baby on the sidewalk
for all you care."  She answered "Oh, we don't say THAT....".  Yes
you do, you just use nicer words.)  The main "services" these places
seem to offer is a place to stay during pregnancy and adoption
referrals.  I would hazard a guess that this is not what most women
want or need.

I had always been pro-choice, _this_ experience made me an activist.

>> The
>> main difference is that the feminist groups want
>> to see this provided to all women in society, not
>> just those able to meet the requirements of
>> organizations that may or may not be operating
>> in their area.

Amen.

>> Linda

>Suzanne.

                   -rocker