| Assisting Rape Survivor Mothers and Their Children |
Hope After Rape Conception
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Mothers' Stories
IPyper's Story, as told by her mother, Angela
It has been almost 18 months since something precious was taken away
from our daughter Pyper. She was 14 at the time it happened and it was
nearly 5 ½ months later before we found out that not only was our little girl
raped, but also pregnant as a result of that ultimate violation. Pyper found
out in late April of 2011 that she was pregnant and I can only imagine what
it must have been like for her. Even now, my heart breaks for her; about
how she felt all alone and scared and felt that she could not come to my
husband or me for help. Pyper was raised to believe that a young lady
should remain pure until she is married, so obviously, she was embarrassed
and ashamed of what had happened to her.
It is important that I share with you that our little girl had been violated
because it makes what happens next -- the choices she made, even more
special. Because of her situation, there are few who would likely fault her if
she chose to have an abortion. I hate to admit that, as we were looking for
help and guidance from friends, family, and others around us, many
encouraged her to do just that.
This is where Birthright and Trisha Davault come into the picture. We were
brought together by a mutual friend. I have to say that I have never met a
more honest, sincere, or loving person with a heart for young mothers and
young women as Trisha. The very first time I took Pyper to Birthright, we
both knew everything was going to be okay and that we had finally found
the right place for her and our family. In those early days, we had advice
flying at us from all directions. It was all sincere and out of love, but only
one place was giving us the right advice -- Birthright of Rolla. Trish cried
with us and loved us and offered our family the support we needed. Pyper
and I started going to mother’s TEA every chance we got and the more we
went, the more Pyper believed that she could get through this.
Furthermore, she realized beyond a doubt that giving birth to Noah, giving
him a chance at life was the right thing to do.
I would love to stand before you and tell you that this has been an easy road,
but it hasn’t -- especially the criminal proceedings and working to lobby the
state legislature; however, having Noah in our lives has helped, and
continues to help, our family heal. To look upon his precious little face and
to see him smile and watch his momma, has been a blessing straight from
Heaven. When I look at him, I see God and His love for our daughter; I see
how He has taken something that was meant for evil and turned it into a
beautiful, amazing miracle -- a testimony of His love and promise for our
lives. Noah did not ask to be brought into the world in the way that he was,
but I can say without a doubt, since day one, he has been loved and wanted.
God has a plan for him, and Pyper and I are firm believers that it’s not what
happens that makes a person who they are, it's how that person chooses to
deal with the situation.
Noah is wonderfully growing, and every day I continue to marvel at God's
love for our family. Pyper continues in her healing process and when I see
him hug her, running his little fingers across her face bringing a twinkle in
her eyes, I know we made the right decision. Looking back, I realize that my
view on the rape exception was not my own, but what I had been led to
believe by well-meaning women and the media. Noah has in no way harmed
Pyper or added to her trauma. Actually, it has been the complete opposite;
Noah has blessed us and everyone who has had the honor of meeting him in
more ways than I will ever be able to put into words.
I don’t know what we would have done without Birthright of Rolla, the
wonderful volunteers, and Trish. I would like to believe that our outcome
would be the same. I do know it would have been a lot harder on us without
the support and love of a place like Birthright. Our future is unknown to us,
but it is our belief that we have been tasked with getting the word out that
every life is precious. Even though a child is conceived in rape, that does not
make their lives worthless. These children have a purpose; God does not
make mistakes.
If you are pregnant by rape, I want to encourage you to seek out the help of
a pregnancy resource center, and please connect with others from Hope
After Rape Conception. You are not alone, and no one should have to go
through any of this feeling like they are all alone.
-- Angela
It has been almost 18 months since something precious was taken away
from our daughter Pyper. She was 14 at the time it happened and it was
nearly 5 ½ months later before we found out that not only was our little girl
raped, but also pregnant as a result of that ultimate violation. Pyper found
out in late April of 2011 that she was pregnant and I can only imagine what
it must have been like for her. Even now, my heart breaks for her; about
how she felt all alone and scared and felt that she could not come to my
husband or me for help. Pyper was raised to believe that a young lady
should remain pure until she is married, so obviously, she was embarrassed
and ashamed of what had happened to her.
It is important that I share with you that our little girl had been violated
because it makes what happens next -- the choices she made, even more
special. Because of her situation, there are few who would likely fault her if
she chose to have an abortion. I hate to admit that, as we were looking for
help and guidance from friends, family, and others around us, many
encouraged her to do just that.
This is where Birthright and Trisha Davault come into the picture. We were
brought together by a mutual friend. I have to say that I have never met a
more honest, sincere, or loving person with a heart for young mothers and
young women as Trisha. The very first time I took Pyper to Birthright, we
both knew everything was going to be okay and that we had finally found
the right place for her and our family. In those early days, we had advice
flying at us from all directions. It was all sincere and out of love, but only
one place was giving us the right advice -- Birthright of Rolla. Trish cried
with us and loved us and offered our family the support we needed. Pyper
and I started going to mother’s TEA every chance we got and the more we
went, the more Pyper believed that she could get through this.
Furthermore, she realized beyond a doubt that giving birth to Noah, giving
him a chance at life was the right thing to do.
I would love to stand before you and tell you that this has been an easy road,
but it hasn’t -- especially the criminal proceedings and working to lobby the
state legislature; however, having Noah in our lives has helped, and
continues to help, our family heal. To look upon his precious little face and
to see him smile and watch his momma, has been a blessing straight from
Heaven. When I look at him, I see God and His love for our daughter; I see
how He has taken something that was meant for evil and turned it into a
beautiful, amazing miracle -- a testimony of His love and promise for our
lives. Noah did not ask to be brought into the world in the way that he was,
but I can say without a doubt, since day one, he has been loved and wanted.
God has a plan for him, and Pyper and I are firm believers that it’s not what
happens that makes a person who they are, it's how that person chooses to
deal with the situation.
Noah is wonderfully growing, and every day I continue to marvel at God's
love for our family. Pyper continues in her healing process and when I see
him hug her, running his little fingers across her face bringing a twinkle in
her eyes, I know we made the right decision. Looking back, I realize that my
view on the rape exception was not my own, but what I had been led to
believe by well-meaning women and the media. Noah has in no way harmed
Pyper or added to her trauma. Actually, it has been the complete opposite;
Noah has blessed us and everyone who has had the honor of meeting him in
more ways than I will ever be able to put into words.
I don’t know what we would have done without Birthright of Rolla, the
wonderful volunteers, and Trish. I would like to believe that our outcome
would be the same. I do know it would have been a lot harder on us without
the support and love of a place like Birthright. Our future is unknown to us,
but it is our belief that we have been tasked with getting the word out that
every life is precious. Even though a child is conceived in rape, that does not
make their lives worthless. These children have a purpose; God does not
make mistakes.
If you are pregnant by rape, I want to encourage you to seek out the help of
a pregnancy resource center, and please connect with others from Hope
After Rape Conception. You are not alone, and no one should have to go
through any of this feeling like they are all alone.
-- Angela
On this page, there are
very life-affirming stories
of women who are pro-life
and/or Christian. If you
are a rape survivor mother
who considers herself to
be pro-choice and of a
different faith, or no faith
at all, please know that
there is still a place for you
here. You are valued, and
you matter. Let us know
how we can help!
For an on-line e-mail
support group for those
who became pregnant by
rape and/or were
conceived in rape, please
visit:
http://health.groups.yahoo
.com/group/stigma_book/
very life-affirming stories
of women who are pro-life
and/or Christian. If you
are a rape survivor mother
who considers herself to
be pro-choice and of a
different faith, or no faith
at all, please know that
there is still a place for you
here. You are valued, and
you matter. Let us know
how we can help!
For an on-line e-mail
support group for those
who became pregnant by
rape and/or were
conceived in rape, please
visit:
http://health.groups.yahoo
.com/group/stigma_book/