...and, might just be a coincidence here, but I too was treated as if I, and my health, was important. Must be why the pukes and the wingers want to destroy PP. Think?

gave me a pap test, checked my weight, checked for VD and checked my breasts. I went in every 6 months for the BC pills and once a year for the other tests. I had a questionable pap test too one time and they had me come in immediately for another test. Seems like once or twice I had a blood test too for something. I'll always support and appreciate PP.

They are wonderful!!

I was a college freshman, going for birth control. Got a diaphragm.

I had a serious chronic health issue that made taking the pill a probably bad idea. That was mid 70's, so I'm glad that I didn't go on it.

I also had extremely overbearing, overprotective, scary parents, mother in particular, who was violently insane as well. Having what little affection I got from a mostly unavailable boyfriend was pretty important to me, and having PEOPLE I COULD TRUST, WHO WERE KIND AND RESPECTFUL TO ME was ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL TO MY WELL BEING.

No other organization dedicates itself to caring so respectfully for women, to treat us as individuals who have a right to be spoken to as individual human beings with minds and hearts of our own, even when we are young and alone.

My kidney disease was first detected there.

They've done studies showing breast cancer was more prevalent in women who used birth control, and the right wing propagated that "information" like crazy and continue to do so, even though it was discovered that breast cancer wasn't more prevalent, early detection of breast cancer was more prevalent in women who used birth control. Because they examine you when you go in for the birth control.

You try to do something good, those bastards will always hold it against you.

Once I got a pregnancy test there that was positive (age 18). I said I was going to get an abortion, and the woman was irritated when I told her that. She gave me a short lecture, ssurprisingly. I got an abortion but not at PP.

I didn't have health insurance, and I knew I couldn't afford a baby. So I went and made whatever donation I could.
When I finally got a job with insurance, I still got my pills there, but I paid for them. I just liked the people who worked there.

They are good people and it is a great organization!

When my bc pills failed several years later, they were there for me too. This was back before antibiotics came with a warning telling you to use additional protection for the month....

From about my senior year in high school until my late twenties. I would go there for my exams and for birth control. Sliding fee scale, based on income, which was great especially after I moved out of my parents house and had no health insurance. They also helped me when I was 22 years old and pregnant, which I decided to terminate the pregnancy. The abortion was not done in their office, they recommended me to a clinic in Portland. It took 3 weeks to get the appointment. Long wait times back then. PPH did not run the clinic, nor did they fund it in anyway.

I went to Planned Parenthood not only for affordable contraception, but also for regular gynecologic exams including Pap smears. Like you, my experience with them was excellent. They were thoughtful, informative, and caring.

Once when I thought I might be pregnant I called Planned Parenthood and they provided me with facts and information. It turned out that I was not pregnant, but if I had been, I have no doubt that they would have provided me with information and services. Legal services, I might add.

and one of my girls had a similar experience with an abnormal pap (that she had to have for birth control). She had to go back and it was still abnormal, so they followed up in 6 months and she was fine. I didn't know of this until after the fact or we would have taken her to our Dr. and paid cash.

PP is one of the most important services available to young people in this country, as they treat men as well. Especially in light of our current health care system, or I should say, lack of a health care system. Many young girls just wouldn't get pap tests at all, or birth control for that matter, pushing us right back to the 60's.

We just sent them $50 on thurs. and will send more when the valentine drive stats here on DU.

and knew we were too young to start a family. We had no insurance and no money. I was always so scared, though, b/c I was still Catholic at the time and knew some acquaintances who would go there to "pray" outside the door.

Mr. Brickbat's insurance.

For pap smears and breast exams.

I had a falling out with my doctor a few years ago. PP takes my insurance, so I figured, why not? Like you, I used them in my teens. It's kind of come full circle that I'm using them now.

The hypocrisy is what gets me. If anti-choice people really cared about decreasing the number of abortions, they would support this incredible organization.

And I've been a regular donor for over 30 years now.

Really?

I agree with the sentiment that PP is a great resources because, sadly, there are so many people with bad/no parental support. However, to tell your own kids you don't want to know and go somewhere to get your parenting is lazy and taking the easy way out as a parent. You are damn right I will call this out, as this is a large part of the reason we are where we are with our kids.

I know where my kids are and I'm very happy with them. They are intelligent, resourceful, responsible, and don't necessarily bow to the whims of the status quo.

Where do you think "we are with our kids"? I'd love to hear your response on that.

Hint: turn on the news some time.

anything. Bought and paid for by the 1%.

Anyone who thinks pushing your parental responsibilities off on an unknow person is a good thing is ignorant, at best.

view finding competent health care for your child as "keeping your eyes closed". In my experience it is the nutcases who stick their heads in the sand (or too far up their bibles) and refuse to accept reality who wind up with pregnant teenagers at 15. Evidence = Sarah Palin amongst many others. YMMV.

"When my daughter turned 16 I told her that when she becomes sexually active, I don't want to know"

of the amazing young woman she is today.

Of course I talked to her about sex and about boys who will tell her they love her just to get laid. We talked about stds.
We talked about how sex is wonderful when it's with someone you love. We talked about it so much that she ended up telling me when she did it. And she is now 22 and talks to me about guys that have broken her heart. She knows that I am here for her and that she can talk to me about anything.

My mother never told me anything about sex - how embarrassing it was for past generations.
I told her about reality. And that PP would be there.

Edit to add - The fact is that most children DO NOT tell their parents when they first did it.

and I'm sure it will drive all right-wingers crazy. They want to completely control all actions around them, including their own children and anyone else they may or may not come into contact with.

when I was a teen back in the late 60's.

I went to Planned Parenthood when I was about to go to college to get on birth control pills. I am so glad they were there and don't know what I would have done without their help.

BC/Exams in college. When I started working I had excellent health insurance and could go to other doctors. I've sent both PP and Komen donations over the years, but I'm finished with Komen now.

Every prescription I ever had for birth control came from PP. Every pap smear. Every exam. And most were free.

My daughter does not have insurance and goes there. PP has been there for a couple of her friends. I can't say enough good about them.

course I am sure that the rw will bitch about them giving birth control pills to minors. I did not want her to go through what I did when birth control was not available to you at that age.

You behaved like a responsible parent. The RW and their head in the sand approach to adolescents having sex is what is dangerous.

And I was married for most of those years. They were/are a wonderful organization. I am very grateful to them for what they provide.

and for prenatal care when I was planning a home delivery. None of the regular doctors would treat me since they wouldn't be doing the delivery. I went to Planned Parenthood in conjunction with my midwife. This was back in the '70s.

My brother and sister in law used them when she became pregnant, but had no health insurance. Planned Parenthood is a big reason why they have a beautiful 2 year old little girl. They could have afforded an abortion, but not the maternity care (and referrals) that allowed them to chose to do what they really wanted.

Just got a PAP there a few months ago. It's cheaper than my CO-PAY on my insurance.

Is it if you are lower-income? And another question: I never found out about the big kerfluffle: why did Komen threaten to take PP away?

Planned Parenthood offers a whole lot more services than a plumber. A whole lot more.

I would not have kept up with my annual exams if I did not have them.

I actually wished they would accept insurance so I could keep going to them, because they have the BEST staff! The people who work there do so because they have a MISSION to help women. Going there, I felt like I was their #1 priority. With most doctor offices, I feel like just a client.

I have volunteered as a client escort in Houston a couple dozen times during protests, and I have been donating annually for several years now.

I also went there once several years ago to get Plan B before it was available without a prescription. It was easier to get it there than to get it from my doctor.

Then at one point I had a long distance friend I planned a trip with, and we decided to exchange test results before we met up. The testing counselor was great! Very nice, great sense of humor, but she also got her points across and asked the important questions.

One of the reasons I went there for the tests rather than my doctor is that I am very concerned about privacy and insurance company methods. I do not trust the way my medical information may be handled, and the test at PP was anonymous.

and back in college, I was one of them.

for birth control, etc...

It was affordable and accessable, not to mention I got through college without major complications.

NEVER take this valuable service away from women. Ever.

30 years ago ... as pregnant 19 year old I received great prenatal care

And I will repeat your sentiment: "And a big FUCK YOU to anyone that wants to take this wonderful organization away from women."

Hard to beat $2 pregnancy tests and the free counseling. The one near my college was first come first serve, so if you didn't get seen by a nurse or doc that day they had plenty of staff to speak with and get advice. Great place.

and so have both my daughters. One of them still uses PP because she has no health insurance.

they were being picketed. The pickets didn't like me. Several times, I heard what I decided were threats and called 911. The police always came and "counseled" the picketers. So, they pretty much shut up when I was doing escort service, since they knew I had no trouble calling the cops.

Went down there, got it felt up, it was a cyst.

They are amazing individuals!

There was a time in my late teens/early twenties when I had a very low income and no health insurance. Family Planning was there for me for everything I needed, from birth control to pap smears and physical exams. I just sent them a donation this morning. I feel I owe them more than that, though, and will continue to support them when I'm able from now on.

If not for them, I would have ended up in the emergency ward at Memorial Hospital where they are known for amputating the wrong limbs.

A huge FU to anyone who thinks Planned Parenthood doesn't save lives, a pathetic right wing notion.