Care Y'All - Our Doors Stay Open

Why I’m Raising Money for Planned Parenthood

Planned Parenthood is personal to me.

In my early twenties, I started having severe pelvic pain. I was a full-time student, waiting tables, and had pretty limited health insurance. I kept being told my pain was normal or probably stress.

Eventually, I saved up months of tips to see a private gynecologist because I thought surely he would have answers.

Instead, he told me my pain might be psychological. He suggested that maybe I just didn’t like my partner, who is now my husband. I left humiliated, still in pain, and questioning myself.

And then I had to go to work.

My boss could tell something was wrong. When I told her what had happened, she told me to go to her provider at Planned Parenthood, where I could get care through Medicaid.

That conversation changed my life.

At Planned Parenthood, the nurse practitioner spent more than an hour with me. She listened. She asked questions. Most importantly, she believed me.

It would take six years before I was finally diagnosed with endometriosis, but that Planned Parenthood visit put me on the path toward getting answers and reclaiming my health.

Years later, I now get to work for Planned Parenthood.

I think a lot about that younger version of myself. I didn’t have much money or great insurance. I was in pain and needed someone to take me seriously.

Planned Parenthood did.

That’s why I’m raising money this Give for Good Louisville. I want Planned Parenthood to be there for the next person who walks through our doors needing care and someone who will listen.

It was there for me. I hope you'll help me make sure it's there for them.