Leonie’s first reaction: A child now? That is not possible! Now: she is a happy mother.
The Unimaginable Is Possible!
Leonie (23) is about to complete her vocational training when she discovers that she is pregnant. She feels paralyzed. Her relationship with the father of the child is still new, and when she tells him about her pregnancy, he gives her the cold shoulder. “Get an abortion”, he tells her without showing any emotion, and then leaves her. Leonie is desperate, cries incessantly, hardly eats. Her thoughts are driven by fear and she worries about her future.
Leonie, in her distress, makes an appointment for an abortion. But doubts rise in her – is there really no other way? She looks for advice and finds the SAMC on the Internet. Hesitantly, with a spark of hope, she contacts the helpline – a step that will change her life.
An encouraging conversation
Leonie pours her heart out to a SAMC counselor. She is not ready for a child – that is unthinkable. The father of the child denies any responsibility and only repeats: “Get the abortion.” The upcoming final exams weigh heavily on her and her future appears dark. She admits that she has fixed an appointment for an abortion, even though she is unsure. However, she can’t imagine how life with a child would look like.
The counselor listens patiently without judging. She explains how the SAMC helps women through such crises: with empathetic advice and practical support. She helps the young woman gain a new perspective of her situation. For the first time, Leonie realizes that she is not alone. Touched by this thought, she arranges a personal meeting with the counselor.
Steps away from the darkness
At the SAMC, Leonie describes her fears in detail: How should she care for a child? How will she complete her education? What if the father of the child refuses to support her? The counselor takes her time and addresses every concern. She explains to her that she is entitled to legal rights such as child support, regardless of the father’s attitude. The SAMC provides financial and material help, baby equipment and individual support, including bridging delayed payments which women are entitled to get, so that no mother is left in need. Leonie learns about maternity benefits, other help and how she can organize her everyday life without having to cope with everything alone.
The counselor also shows her how she can plan her exam preparation. She also talks about childcare options that could take the pressure off the young woman.
Hope slowly begins to germinate in Leonie: With this support, a life with her child is not as unimaginable as it first seemed to her, but feasible. She decides to continue the counseling and notices how her fears diminish.
Joy of Having a Child
With growing confidence that she will be able to care for her child, Leonie feels a deep sense of joy. One day, she resolutely tells the counselor that she wants to keep her child. The counselor helps to secure her financial situation and shows her how she can find a job now for the time after her training. She is a reliable point of contact and supports the young mother in planning her life with the baby. The SAMC gives her baby equipment in good condition – from the buggy to tiny clothes.
While still pregnant, Leonie passes her final exams with good grades, and this success fills her with pride. Shortly afterwards, she gives birth to a healthy daughter. On the day of the birth, she happily writes to her counselor that her baby has arrived and thanks her warmly.
The SAMC continues to accompany her, helps her to assert her claims and supports her with needs-based financial assistance and items for her baby, so that Leonie can start her new life as a mother with confidence.