A Client's Review of Hillcrest Abortion Facility

The following review of the "services" provided at the Hillcrest Abortion Facility in Catonsville, MD, appeared last month at InsiderPages.com:

Good Website, Bad Facilities by Monchelle D.

This is where I went to get my abortion at 17 weeks. It is basically a waste of time to schedule anything because either way you are going to be waiting for hours in a crowded room with 20+ other girls on any given day of the week. The website is great and very informative, but the service and atmosphere is horrible. They seem to only care about money, and even make you pay extra to be anesthesized. The procedure rooms are about as small as a closet, and can't even fit a friend or family member that wishes to accompany you. Pretty soon after the procedure, they give you a cup of ginger ale and crackers, kick you out, and send you on your way in a very unfriendly and impersonal manner. No other services, information, or other help is provided. Some of the staff is very nice and friendly, but others seem contemptuous, condescending, and plain mean. I hated the vibe I got from this place and promised myself I'd never return.

Abortion advocates claim to be "pro-woman, pro-choice." Was Monchelle D. treated with the dignity she deserved? Not by her own account. And she is only one of the 1,000 women each year [ed. note: corrected from the original post which said 140 women per day] who go to Hillcrest for an abortion. Not only are children being killed there, but women are being stripped of their dignity, treated like objects, and exploited for their money. These victims are in the middle of a personal crisis when they enter the facility seeking help and compassion, and they get the opposite.

This is where the Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCs) come in. They are truly pro-woman, as they try to understand each woman's situation, provide better options than abortion, and meet her needs. If she chooses to keep her baby or offer him up for adoption, the CPC will help meet her needs throughout the pregnancy and beyond.

Unfortunately, pro-abortion advocates are trying to vilify CPCs, spreading lies about them because they're taking business away from the abortion facilities. We need to support our local CPCs. And we need to pray for Monchelle and all the other women being harmed by the abortion industry.

Like Always - A Novel; Review Part One

I received an advance copy of "Like Always," a novel by Robert Elmer, which hits the bookstores on June 19th, 2007. This is a book about real life struggles, yet it affirms the Culture of Life and Love. Robert Elmer writes in an engaging style and I can really relate to what he's saying while I'm reading. As I began reading the first chapter, I had to pause and get my wife so I could read it aloud to her. It almost sounded like he was writing about our own lives in the first few pages!

I only began reading the book two days ago and I am nearly halfway through, which is no small feat considering I have three young kids and my wife vying for my attention throughout the day. I have become completely absorbed by the characters, especially the husband, Will, who is taking a huge leap of faith in starting his own business after toiling in a miserable job for years and years. In their mid-40s, he and his wife Merit begin life anew by purchasing an old run-down lake resort in Idaho, moving there from their San Francisco Bay area modern lifestyle. And right in the middle of it all Merit finds out that she's pregnant. What to do?

I am encouraged that talented artists are producing such high quality entertainment with positive and life-affirming messages these days. This novel is in the same league as the movie "Bella," which will be hitting the theaters this summer (more information about Bella can be found here: http://www.bellathemovie.com/).

I have at least 50 books lined up that I want to read, but I am glad I am reading this refreshing novel right now, and I recommend you do the same.

I will continue with Part Two as soon as I finish the book.

This book is a must read this summer. You can purchase it from Amazon at: http://www.amazon.com/Like-Always-Robert-Elmer/dp/1400071658 after June 19th.