Lisa (she/her) — Affordable Birth Control

I believe Planned Parenthood is an amazing resource for health care for people from all walks of life. My story with Planned Parenthood goes back to when I was in college.

I was away at school and I had a long-term boyfriend. We were sexually active and at this time I was not comfortable going to my parents for advice about birth control. Through a friend I heard about Planned Parenthood. I was lucky enough that there was a Planned Parenthood in my college town. I was actually able to walk there.

Although I was so nervous, the caretakers there made me feel extremely comfortable. I received a lot of important information about different types of birth control. Ultimately, I decided to use oral contraception which I was able to get for five dollars a month. This was such a relief because again, I was a college student at the time. I had very little extra money.

In addition, throughout my summer vacations and winter breaks, I was able to keep consistent with my birth control at my local Planned Parenthood near my hometown. This access to birth control was able to prevent me from being pregnant at a time when I was not ready to have a child. I was also able to rely on Planned Parenthood for other issues such as UTIs.

Today I have two daughters in college and I help them with their health care needs. I am happy that they feel comfortable confiding in me with sexual issues and health concerns that arise. However, I tell them that if at any time they are not comfortable coming to me with a problem or a health care concern, they should go to Planned Parenthood. I trust Planned Parenthood. I tell them to trust Planned Parenthood. I say this because I know that they will receive the health care, compassion, and services that they need. Thank you so much for this opportunity to speak for an organization that truly benefits our society and one that I truly believe in.

• Lisa M. (she/her), PPHP Patient Advocate