By Cabell Angle | Special to the Catholic Herald
The audience at New Eve Maternity Home’s Annual Fall Fundraising Dinner Oct. 26 in Winchester heard emotional testimony and discussion from a panel of speakers that included a post abortion counselor, a case worker who assists workers who want to leave the abortion industry, and a doctor who was a former abortionist and now is the founder of a pro-life OB/GYN clinic.
New Eve Maternity Home in Winchester provides shelter for pregnant women and their children who are facing homelessness. It is the only maternity home in the Shenandoah Valley. Since its founding in 2010, New Eve has sheltered 26 women and 18 babies.
Dr. John Bruchalski, founder of Divine Mercy Care and Tepeyac OB/GYN in Fairfax, spoke of his conversion and the power of prayer to change hearts. He told of some difficult and emotional pregnancies, of parents who initially wanted an abortion, but were transformed by the experience of the birth of their child, and thankful that they made the decision to bring their child into the world and were able to experience great love.
Chris Dalton, director of Post Abortion Care and Encouragement (PACE) at AbbaCare pregnancy counseling center in Winchester, said many women who have aborted their babies suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and feel shame and anger.
She said many experience “anniversary depression” on the anniversary of their abortion, but with her Christian-based counseling she is able to help women find forgiveness and experience God’s love.
Laura Ricketts, a case worker for the organization And Then There Were None, said many abortion industry workers also suffer from PTSD because of what they have seen and been ordered to do in abortion clinics. She said many abortion workers gradually are forced to move from front office clerical duties to back-room clinical jobs for which they are not properly trained. Ricketts said mothers, babies and workers are all victims in an abortion clinic.
And Then There Were None was founded by Abby Johnson who walked out on her job as director at a Planned Parenthood clinic and decided to help others who wanted to quit the abortion industry.
Ricketts provides these workers with free emotional, legal, financial and employment help. Many of them have financial difficulties from the loss of their job and have trouble finding new employment. Some lose relationships with friends and family. She said the group has helped more than 400 workers quit the abortion industry.
