Hannah

“Hi. My name is Hannah. I recently graduated from high school, and am now a rising college freshman.

I first utilized Planned Parenthood’s services at age 16. I had recently made the decision to start having sex with my boyfriend at the time. We used condoms, but I had been taught that two birth control methods are always better than one. So I went on the Planned Parenthood website to learn as much as I could about the different types of birth control.

But then I realized - I have to tell my mom. Not only was I not able to drive myself to the nearest Planned Parenthood clinic, but I also wanted my mom there with me. I was super nervous to tell her, which is understandable because no matter how supportive your parents are, it’s still nerve wracking to tell your mom that you had sex.

In retrospect, I shouldn’t have been as nervous as I was. She was nothing but supportive and calm after I told her, and we made an appointment at our local Planned Parenthood Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley clinic the same day.

I was deciding between the pill and the depo provera shot, and was able to spend 40 minutes comparing and contrasting the two methods with one of the care providers. I decided on the pill, and was able to get a six months’ supply, an entire bag of condoms, and the Plan B pill, just in case. And, if I hadn’t been able to pay, I would have received it all for free.

This is what Planned Parenthood does for people like me. They provide judgement free, unbiased care and assistance for everyone. Today, I share my story to exemplify that, without Planned Parenthood and the continued access to the services that they provide, my life and the lives of millions of others would be negatively impacted.”

- Hannah, Planned Parenthood Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley patient