We have seen a lot of clients lately at both sites as the economic situation worsens and it becomes harder for families to make ends meet. We are so grateful for your support so we can help where we can. Our sites are very busy.
In the midst of our chaos, Shania came in. She had taken the train from out of town. As a foreign student, she had discovered she was pregnant. It was her plan to remain in Canada, but if her family found out about her condition she would be disowned and never allowed to return home. She was very frightened. She had made the trek because she had heard that abortions were cheaper here. When she arrived in our community, the abortion facility was closed. She was directed to the Pregnancy Help Centre of Durham and we had a chance to discuss her options with her.
One of the things we use at the PHC is a decision-making sheet that allows someone to systematically walk through all the choices. Shania quietly thought about what would happen if she proceeded with an abortion. Although her family wouldn't know about the pregnancy, she considered how she would do after. She worried about the guilt and, although she remained abortion-minded, she did reflect on the possibility of adoption. We followed up with a referral. We are praying as she makes her decision and thank God for the opportunity to share with her and provide support.
Adoption is an underutilized choice in Ontario in an unintended pregnancy. It is an important possibility to ensure the safety and future of our children, born and preborn. AdoptOntario (https://adoption.on.ca/adoptontario/) indicates that three of four adoptions in Ontario include openness provisions which makes the choice easier for some birthparents. In 2020, Ontario reportedly began investiing into the adoption process to make it easier and provide more support to prospective parents https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/59278/ontario-making-adoption-process-easier-for-families.
We consider adoption one of God's options. It brings hope and redemption into all of our lives.
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world…In love he predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ…Eph 5: 4-5 (NIV)
Kathy Michel, MA
Exec Dir
