Caryna’s Story: The Right People, The Right Place, The Right Time
The positive pregnancy test carried with it shock and so much sadness that Caryna called an emergency suicide line. Then, she began planning her abortion.
She had considered purchasing abortion pills online, even though she knew that she was well beyond the seven-week time limit to take the pills, but she wanted the situation resolved that very day. She began searching the internet for a place that would perform the abortion immediately. Since she doesn’t speak or read English, Caryna was relying on an online translation tool.
She inadvertently landed on the Women’s Life Care Center website in her search. When she emailed the center (in Spanish), she received an immediate response and a follow-up phone call. Caryna was at our center an hour later. She was met by our client advocate Gabi, who conducted an intake and accompanied Caryna to her ultrasound, which showed that
Caryna was at 11.5 weeks gestation. Gabi spent the next several hours with Caryna, listening attentively with understanding and empathy, and without advice or commentary.
Somewhere along the way, Caryna began to feel more hopeful, more supported, and more courageous. And she decided against the abortion.
Coming To Minnesota
Years ago, as a young woman just graduating from college in South America, Caryna dreamed of one day owning her own restaurant. She took a job in business administration, but the pay was low and she got sidetracked into a number of unfortunate choices, including prostitution for a time. Eventually, Caryna met a man who would help her out of that role, but even that brought disappointment. He became temperamental and, ultimately, abusive.
When Caryna came to the United States, eventually ending up in Minnesota, she had hopes of wealth and success. She imagined that she would be able to earn enough money to bring her family out of poverty. Instead, she struggled severely during her two years here, working as a housecleaner and waitress, barely getting by. Then, she became pregnant. She found a job as a grocery driver because it was more compatible with her pregnancy than being on her feet all day.
Now, Caryna often works 12-hour days to make enough money to pay rent. A few weeks ago, her car was stolen and she had to quickly purchase a used vehicle on payments so she could keep working. She desperately wants to send money to her family in South America, but she is not making enough to cover her own basic expenses. Although she is disappointed that her dreams of wealth in America have not become reality, she tries hard to maintain a positive attitude.
Now, at five months gestation, Caryna’s pregnancy is progressing well. As she drives around the Twin Cities delivering groceries, she talks continuously to her baby.
“My baby is here to help me,” she says, smiling. Caryna continues to receive support from the Center. She has enrolled in our Learn and Earn program to learn about maintaining a healthy pregnancy, and she earns items her baby will need as she completes lessons. She has also received maternity clothing, gas cards, and groceries. Caryna meets online weekly with Gabi, who is also helping her to access a variety of critical resources including financial assistance, informational sessions with an adoption agency, and trauma counseling.
Step by step, Gabi and Caryna will travel the road to Caryna’s baby’s birth — and beyond — together.
Going Beyond Expectations
When Gabi discovered that Caryna had emailed our Center, she responded rapidly, initially by email and then with a phone call. She invited Caryna to our center for an immediate appointment.
Because Gabi is our only Spanish-speaking staff member on site, no one else could have met with Caryna, who speaks only Spanish. Gabi quickly changed both her work and personal schedules to make herself available, not knowing how much time would be needed.
She texted family members to pick up her children from school and get them dinner while she met with Caryna for several hours. It was dark outside when she left the Center, which would normally close at 3 p.m. on that day.
Later, as Caryna recalled her first meeting at the Center, she reflected: