Ahjonae, 27, who works two full-time jobs, including a hotel graveyard shift to keep up with the rent and bills — and typically sleeps only three hours daily to be available for her kids — finds out she’s pregnant. Unable to financially manage, this single-mom searches for abortion care providers across the U.S. to terminate her pregnancy. A practicing Christian, she is referred to a Dallas-based travel program at a local church that shepherds people to New Mexico to receive abortion care. Despite her hesitancy to trust the volunteers, Ahjonae calls in sick to work, and her mother comes to watch her three young children, so that Ahjonae can take the journey to Albuquerque.
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Special thanks to the Southwestern Women's Surgery Center in Dallas, TX, Southwestern Women's Options in Albuquerque, NM; Dr. Cutis Boyd and Dr. Glenna Boyd; and the Reverend Kanter, Chaplin Erin, and The First Unitarian Church of Dallas, and all the volunteers. Also, thanks to the New Mexico Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, Dr. Colleen McNicholas, and Planned Parenthood; And to all those who shared their stories with us.
Some names have been changed to protect identities. Since this episode was recorded, Roe v. Wade was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. The changing legal landscape in Texas means that some groups in Texas are changing or pausing their operations. Specifically, The Southwest Surgery center in Dallas has been forced to stop providing abortion services until further notice. The clinic will remain open to offer other reproductive healthcare. Also, note that the doctor in this episode uses the abortion pill brand name Mifeprex and later refers to it by the generic name Mifepristone. They are the same drug. If you have questions about about abortion pills, go to https://www.abortionfinder.org/abortion-types/pill.
This podcast was brought to you by Population Media Center. Executive producers are Lisa Caruso and Alex Demyanenko, with co-producer Kathleen Bedoya and associate producer Dominica Ruelas. This episode was field produced by Joanna Friedman with production services provided by Red Cup Agency and story producing by Olivia Aylmer. Research assistance was provided by Sarah Field Bullion and production coordinating by June Neely. Impact strategy was led by Charity Tooze. Narration by Tatiana St. Phard. Music by Val Ortiz.