Clementine - Planned Parenthood

THE
fall 2009
SOURCE
clementine’s
story
PLUS:
• non-traditional sex education
• creating change
• an adoption story

EDUCATION
non-traditional sex education
A
40-YEAR-OLD WOMAN WITH DOWN’S SYNDROME SAT
in Health Educator Lisa Schulze’s office crying.
“My sister has a husband, why can’t I have somebody
to love?”
She is one of dozens of clients with developmental disabilities Lisa
educates. The woman had been isolated her entire life by her family;
they were afraid she would be taken advantage of by someone if
she ever dated or became intimate with a partner.
“Once her parents died, she found herself in a new social atmosphere,
but her friends were still fearful of what could happen if she
dated,” Lisa said. “With our help, they see that education can be
useful and they realize true intimacy in their life. It’s their right.”
Lisa recently organized workshops for about 75 professionals in
the Lincoln area and 22 parents. The relationships that she’s building
is establishing Planned Parenthood of the Heartland as an expert
in the field of sexuality and developmental disabilities. Now
health-care providers refer their clients and caretakers to Lisa for
education and support.
“People with disabilities often have their sexual needs overlooked
and ignored. This is about intimacy, boundaries, and their bodies as
we support their growth in living to their fullest potential,” she said.
“Just like anyone else, they’re sexual beings.”
PP Heartland is working with local supporters including the Cooper
Foundation in Lincoln to continue to expand the developmental
disabilities services.
GETTING TO KNOW...
ryan sallans, health educator
WHY HE’S AN EDUCATOR
When I was a little kid, I wanted to be a teacher. In
college, I did peer education, and now I never want
to stop.
RECENT PROGRAMS TAUGHT
Breaking Health Care Barriers In The Transgender
Community; LGBT for Professionals; How Students
Come Out and How Schools Are Barriers To Their
Learning.
ON THE HORIZON
Program on sexuality and eating disorders, working
with a new coalition, Professional Transgender
Resource Network, to educate public on issues surrounding
transgender health care.
2 PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF THE HEARTLAND
Sallans talks to students at District 66 in Omaha about
LGBT issues and the coming out process. This was the
first year the district allowed PP Heartland to teach about
sexual orientation in its curriculum.

ADVOCACY
PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF THE HEARTLAND
building relationships, creating change
PP Heartland Public Affairs Officer Julie Stauch meets with Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa and his staff in Washington, D.C.
BRIDGING TWO STATES
with dramatically different
systems of government is
a challenge the Planned
Parenthood of the Heartland Public
Affairs division is well prepared
to meet. The Public Affairs division
knows it’s all about relationships.
The creation of a state fund for
family planning assistance in Iowa
was possible because of the relationships
PP Heartland fostered between
constituents and their elected
officials. Strengthening our supporter
base and network of partnerships
in Iowa is essential to protect and
expand services.
Nebraska is currently ranked 51st
in the nation for contraceptive access,
funding, and policy. Returning
to fundamentals is the first step in
improving the situation for women
and families in Nebraska.
Planned Parenthood of the Heartland
is forging new relationships with
organizations, supporters, and elected
officials. The goal is to strengthen
and increase the public voice of our
clients and improve the environment
in both states for family planning and
women’s health care.
GROWING SUPPORT
As part of a progressive coalition
in Nebraska, the Healthy Families
project has been going door-todoor
to identify new supporters and
survey their opinions on health-care
reform, immigration policy, stem cell
research, and abortion policies. The
effort is part of building relationships
with new supporters in Nebraska.
So far, Healthy Families project
canvassers have visited over 19,000
homes in Omaha. Results have been
surprising, with over 78 percent supporting
health-care reform. When it
comes to people’s views on abortion,
only 8 percent believe abortion
should be illegal.
The results of the canvass will not only
recruit new supporters, but give insight
into strategies for other progressive issues
in Nebraska.
STRENGTHENING
PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS
The most-read section of a newspaper
is usually the opinion page. Editorials,
letters, and guest opinion pieces help
guide and shape the public debate. Personal
stories from real people can make
all the difference.
That’s why PP Heartland created the
Rapid Response Program, to ensure
that women’s health care is positively
represented in Iowa and Nebraska opinion
pages. By year’s end, PP Heartland
will have placed about 200 letters to
the editor throughout the states. With
a publish rate of 47 percent, our issues
are getting noticed.
You can join the Rapid Response
team: e-mail us at action@ppheartland.org
for more information.
THE SOURCE fall 2009 3

clementine’s story
From patient to mother to Planned Parenthood advocate,
Clementine Karl comes full circle.
EVERY PATIENT WHO COMES TO A CENTER
at Planned Parenthood of the Heartland has a
personal, unique and sometimes heart-rending
story to tell.
Clementine Karl is no different.
At age 4, her mother tragically died, and Clementine
was put up for adoption. Her adoptive family
turned out to be nothing short of a nightmare. Physical,
emotional and sexual abuse followed. By the time she
was 21, she was an emotional wreck. And pregnant.
“I was suffering from severe depression, I had just been
laid off,” Clementine said. “I knew I was in no shape to
bring a child into this world.”
Clementine turned to Planned Parenthood
for help.
“I had no money. I didn’t know how I was going to pay
for an abortion. But the counselors at Planned Parenthood
told me they would help. And they did.”
She remembers the caring staff who didn’t pass judgment
on her.
“They were so professional, so sensitive and so kind.“
And Clementine won’t forget. Today, she continues going
to Planned Parenthood.
“Even though I have insurance now, it’s my way of giving
back,” she said. And if that completed one full circle,
the birth of her son, Dashiell, completed another.
“When I was ready to have a child, I used Planned Parenthood’s
prenatal services,” Clementine said. “Planned
Parenthood has been there for me. I will be there for
them.”
4 PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF THE HEARTLAND

HEALTH SERVICES
it’s...a baby!
PP HEARTLAND JUST FACILITATED ITS SECOND ADOPTION
this year with two more on the way before the end of the year.
The partnership we have with Avalon Center is a rare relationship.
The pro-choice adoption agency prides itself in providing
people with all of their options. There are only a few pro-choice
adoption organizations like it in the country. Since the adoption
agency started in 2005, PP Heartland has placed 17 newborns
into adoptive families. And now the services extend to our clinics
in Nebraska. Avalon’s executive director now makes frequent
visits to Nebraska clinics to talk to interested clients.
Clementine Karl shares a moment with her 4-year-old
son, Dashiell, in the Education and Resources Center
of PP Heartland.
make a difference
To further help patients like Clementine,
we need your help.
PP Heartland has set a goal to raise
$750,000 by early next year so that
we can implement an electronic health
records (EHR) system.
The patients will benefit the most
from this new technology. It will provide
everything from making appointments
online to getting answers to important
medical questions via e-mail
with clinic staff. (The site will be secure
and confidential.) In addition, EHR will
be in sync with medical records to
eliminate errors from filling out paperwork.
No gift is too big or too small to help
us reach our goal. Please find the enclosed
donation envelope to make a
contribution today.
A PATIENT’S STORY
I thought when I got pregnant with my now 4-year-old
daughter that an abortion was my only option. I went to
a Planned Parenthood of the Heartland clinic to have the
procedure and the nurse recognized that I was nervous
and unsure. She talked with me about my options, and
based off our conversation, I changed my mind.
Every day I am grateful for that nurse. Without her I
wouldn't have the most important thing in my life. She
didn't just stop me from having an abortion, she saved
my life.
ANONYMOUS
THE SOURCE fall 2009
5

DID YOU KNOW?
PP HEARTLAND ONLINE
connect with us!
JOIN OUR FAN CLUB ON
the new Planned Parenthood of
the Heartland Facebook page!
Go to facebook.com/ppheartland.
Then, tell your friends! It’s
a great way to stay informed of
the latest news at PP Heartland
and upcoming events.
You can also follow us on
MySpace at myspace.com/ppheartland!
SAVE THE DATE
california dreamin’
Join The Omaha Friends
Saturday, January 30
for
california dreamin’
2010
an evening filled with
internationally acclaimed art,
wonderful wines, delicious
dining courtesy of John Benker
Catering, and the most
fun you've ever had in a
one-of-a-kind creative
cultural institution!
$100/ticket
ESTATE PLANNING
leaving a legacy
Legacy Society members Suzi Alexander and Carol Leech.
PP HEARTLAND HAS MADE A POSITIVE, LIFE-AFFIRMING
impact on generations of women and their families. You can extend
that impact. Remembering Planned Parenthood in your will or estate
plans is one of the most meaningful gifts you can give the young
people of tomorrow.
For more information on how to include PP Heartland in your estate
plans, please contact Jennifer, gift planning manager, at (515) 235-
0409/jennifer.garst@ppheartland.org or Tari, regional development
director, at (402) 441-3365/ tari.hendrickson@ppheartland.org.
KANEKO
11th and Jones, Omaha, NE
6 pm Cocktails, Silent Auction
7:30 pm Dinner, Live Auction
Visit www.ppheartland.org/friends to register.
6 PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF THE HEARTLAND

VOLUNTEERS AND DONORS
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
four friends and fundraisers
1lifelong support
To say that DT Doan is an
avid supporter of Planned
Parenthood of the Heartland
would be an understatement.
Over the course of the last 20-
some years, the Des Moines businessman
has supported PP Heartland
in just about every way a person
can, serving on various boards and
committees, often as chair, and as a
volunteer and donor.
“The mission of Planned Parenthood is outstanding,” DT said.
“Delivering affordable health care to underprivileged people is a
very admiral mission. That’s what led me to get involved.”
And it’s that mission, as well as the people behind it, that have
kept DT involved all these years.
“One of the things about PP Heartland that has always struck
me is the commitment and dedication of everyone I’ve worked
with over the years. Everyone is very passionate about what they
do. Once you’re involved, it’s hard not to get caught up in it.”
share
your
story
Has Planned
Parenthood
impacted your
life? Are you
a dedicated
volunteer with
good news to
share? We want
to hear from
you! E-mail
your story to:
sharemystory@
ppheartland.org
4
guest of honor
Red Oak Auction was another
huge success! The
donations from the event
in October totaled $7428.
Pictured below with President
and CEO Jill June is this year’s
guest of honor, Helen Murphy, who’s
a long-time PP Heartland supporter.
And a big thanks to the family of
Jean Shields, who donated $3,000 in
her honor.
access matters
Ruth Thompson knows the importance of access to reproductive
health care. As a patient escort for Planned Parenthood
of the Heartland, she sees it often. Ruth’s been
volunteering for the last 3 ½ years, but her history with
Planned Parenthood and barriers to access began long
before that.
“As a young woman, I needed Planned Parenthood’s
abortion services, and I used them. But at that time, I had
to fly all the way from Lincoln to New York City to access
those services,” Ruth said. “Now they’re available three
blocks from where I grew up. I want to make sure that it
stays that way.”
In addition to escorting patients,
Ruth also hosts an annual
“friendraiser”, called Picnic
on the Prairie, at her home
just outside of Lincoln. Last
year’s picnic drew 120 people,
and brought in about $3,000,
helping ensure
2
no one will ever
have to fly cross
country for reproductive
health
care again.
on the books
3
PP Heartland raised $211,393.26 this year,
beating last fall’s sale total by nearly $10,000!
Proceeds from the sale go to support PP
Heartland’s Education and Outreach Department
which provides medically accurate, age-appropriate
health and sexuality education programs to
groups and individuals throughout the states of Iowa
and Nebraska. Hats off to all of the fabulous volunteers
for making this year’s sale a hit. The Spring Sale is
set for March 25-29. Hope to see you there!
THE SOURCE fall 2009
7

P.O Box 4557
Des Moines, IA 50305-4557
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Des Moines, IA
Permit 3108
Players by Nature. Prevention by Choice.
Join Planned Parenthood Young Leaders for the 2nd Annual Bingo-licious.
RSVP today to attend
Des Moines’ premier
Drag Queen Bingo event,
a fundraiser for
Planned Parenthood
of the Heartland!
Suggested donation of $20
by November 12.
Iris
Champagne Showers
Stinketta
Teena Mint Prunella Deville
Just call Julie
at (515) 235-0406,
e-mail
julie.good@ppheartland.org
or online at
www.ppheartland.org/bingo.
*All players must be 21.