UnPlanned (review and giveaway)
Abby Johnson volunteered and worked for Planned Parenthood for eight years. If you're unfamiliar with Planned Parenthood, they give women birth control and also abortions. They do other things that I'm not as familiar with but publicly, this is what they're known for. Abby felt she was helping women in crisis situations. After some major occurrences in her heart, Abby realized that she needed to start advocating for the unborn babies she was (as a clinic director) killing.
I know that abortion is a hot-button issue - always has been, always will be. I understand that everyone is entitled to (and will use) their own opinions. I have my own. As a Christian, I'm pro-life through and through. This is also an issue dear to my own heart - I haven't been in a situation where I felt the need to abort a child, but I know someone (very close to me) who has. It's an unfortunate situation when I girl finds herself in a situation where she's not ready to be a mom.
unPlanned is a documentary about Abby Johnson. This film follows her rise to the top and life after her resignation. How she came about to volunteer and work for Planned Parenthood. She shares her story from college and beyond - shares about her own abortions, her daughter, her husband and parents. Abby takes you through her thoughts and trials through everything: being on track to run Planned Parenthood to seeing (via ultrasound) an abortion being performed.
What I really appreciated from unPlanned is when the pro-life side is shared. They talk about organizations that peacefully pray outside of abortion clinics - and, of course, there are zealots that are rude about it and yell and come about their mission in an unloving manner. I had the opportunity to pray outside of a Planned Parenthood in Colorado. I was pregnant with Moose at the time, so I was very emotionally connected to this event. I had never prayed so hard in my life for life changes, view changes. I love my sons so much and with each abortion, a mom is missing out on the love and life of a dear child (whether biological or through adoption).
Again, I know that feelings and view points run rampant on this issue, so please know that I don't condemn or judge those who have taken this path. I haven't walked in their shoes! I don't know their trials or situations - and I care as much for that baby as I do for its mom. Women often underestimate the affects that abortions will have on them physically, spiritually, emotionally. And too often organizations like Planned Parenthood downplay those affects.
On May 17 at 8:00 pm (all time zones), Unite for LIFE is hosting a webcast (free of charge) featuring Abby Johnson. It will benefit pregnancy care organizations. You can sign up at www.uniteforlifewebcast.org . That night Unplanned the book and the DVD will be available for purchase as a package deal; 33% of each purchase will go to crisis pregnancy centers like CareNet, the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates, and Heartbeat International.
I also have the opportunity to share with one of you! I have a certificate for a free copy of the unPlanned DVD! It really is a wonderful documentary that would be great to share at church, at home, with girl friends (or anyone else!).
To win, please watch the trailer (just over 1 minute) and share your thoughts.
My giveaway will be open until May 16, 2010 at 11:59pm (CST). Open to US or Canada.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the unPlanned DVD in order to facilitate an honest opinion. All opinions are my own. Others may or may have the same experiences with the product and/or company.
Comments
I have mixed feelings about Planned Parenthood. Because I actually used them before. To get birth control back when I didn't have good health insurance- they were the cheapest way I could get it. But, there were always protesters there when I went to get my refills- I was SO relieved when I was told I could buy multiple months worth of bc pills at a time.
I wanted to yell at the protesters to leave me alone- I was just getting bc pills and that I'd never have an abortion. And that any of them who wanted to pay for a doctor somewhere else and for my pills was welcome to do that and then I'd stop going there.
I have wanted to read her book for the longest time.
I didn't even know they had made a DVD of it!
It looks... honestly? Disturbing and heartbreaking. But I am praying that this video will be out there... and that people will watch it, and lives will be SAVED. Precious little babies will be BORN.
It isn't the most optimistic approach but I'm even more heartbroken to read stories about abused kids and children's lives lost due to never being wanted in the first place and this at least provides women with a safer, healthier alternative. In a perfect world we wouldn't need it, but I feel like we do.
But like most, I'm happy to hear people pray about this and for the mother's who have this in their life. I'm saddened by the people who call them awful names and don't try to reach out instead.