This Woman Says She Was "Paying It Forward" When She Bought the Morning After Pill For a Teen
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Pregnancy scares are difficult, no matter your age. It's important that we have options if we forgot to take our birth control, if the condom broke, or if for some other reason there's a potential for unwanted pregnancy. Teenagers often face not only the issue of what to do, but they can also feel even more alone if they have to hide it from their families or if they can't afford or don't have access to options like Plan B.
One Redditor gave an account of her encounter with a teen who was in need of Plan B but was unable to afford it. Redditor carlinha1289 overheard the situation at the pharmacy and stepped in to help. Believing it was free only to find out otherwise, she was unable to pay for it. She was scared that the transaction would show up on her debit card, allowing her family to see it, and had no other means of buying it.
Commenters on the TwoXChromosomes Reddit thread have been resoundingly supportive of the poster's decision to "pay it forward," referencing a time when someone did the same for them when they were in need. Many commenters jumped in with their own personal stories regarding obtaining emergency contraception and praised the original poster for her deed, calling her "great," thanking her, and praising her for "setting a really great example" for her children and the girl she helped. Read what she posted and why she felt moved to offer her help:
I was at the pharmacy to pick up something for my daughter and there were two teenagers waiting next to me. They were acting like normal teenagers and laughing/talking. The pharmacist called one and asked her basic questions about her period and all that. Then he told her to go to the cash register to pay. The pharmacist told her the price and she said that she thought it was free and covered by health insurance in Quebec. The pharmacist said that it was not and that he could not give her the medication without her paying. She asked her friend if she had money and her friend said no . . . She then (and this is the part that really made me want to get involved) asked the pharmacist if it would show up on her debit card. The pharmacist obviously felt bad for her and told her it would probably show pharmacy or something. She said she would have to find another way.
I glanced up and I saw she was trying to buy Plan B. I was sure at first it was some type of regular birth control but nope, it was Plan B. This was a pretty distressed teenager who was afraid of a) getting pregnant and b) telling her parents. I remember being a teenager needing Plan B . . . My parents would probably have beaten the hell out of me if they found out, so I had to ask a friend to pick it up for me. It was $40 back then, so we had to ask her mom to pay it for us. Her mom did, thank goodness and she also paid for some condoms.
So, it was my time to pay it forward and to ask that girl if she needed help paying for Plan B. I got up and politely told her that I over heard the conversation (it was just the four of us — and my kiddos) and that I'd like to pay for it if she doesn't mind. She looked super embarrassed and told me "it's for Plan B" and I just smiled and told her "Hey, I've been there, I had to ask my mom's friend to pay it for me, I will save you the embarrassment." She agreed.
I was totally expecting 40$ (or more) but it was only $20 . . . I asked her if she needed anything else like condoms and she shyly shook her head no. So I paid and she went her way with the pharmacist's instructions. I told my friend about it later (the one whose mom paid for Plan B for me) and it was heartwarming for both of us. We remember being so scared and skipping school JUST to get Plan B. Thinking about it . . . these girls did too. It's scary to be 14 or 16 in a situation where you might find yourself pregnant and where you know you cannot reach out to your parents.
I've heard many other stories of women getting other women Plan B, so I definitely know I'm not alone, keep on spreading the support, lots of younger people need it. As for parents, please keep an open mind with your children. They are doing the right thing by getting birth control or seeking out emergency contraceptives. Talk to them about it and help them figuring it out, it's really hard for them — probably harder than it is for you.