Friends
Written by Amazonia V
Chapter 8:
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Interview with Wonder Woman at HER Residence, Metropolis
By Clark Kent, Staff Reporter , The Daily Planet
Photographs by Jimmy Olsen, Photographer, The Daily Planet
A women's shelter is a place of temporary refuge and support for women escaping domestic situations, which may include unwed pregnancies, abandonment, domestic violence, rape, mental abuse or even stressful situations. Under the leadership of Wonder Woman, the Ambassador of Themyscira, the women’s shelters set up by her Mission have taken on a new meaning.
Better known under the acronym HER, which expands to Hope Empower Rehabilitate, each Residence is an independent, non-profit community, with comprehensive programs to help women under their roofs. Dedicated staff, volunteers, and licensed professionals work together to provide a comprehensive program to an average of 15,000 women each year, across the globe.
Wonder Woman encourages young women of all ages to volunteer and participate in the Outreach program at each HER Residence. Wonder Woman, when interviewed about her vision for the Outreach program, said, “Volunteers are an integral part of our mission: we could not do the work that we do without help from our volunteers. By volunteering at a HER Residence, you can support and help women who may have stopped believing that there is good in the world.”
The Daily Planet visited HER Residence in Metropolis. Clearly, the women and the volunteers have a healthy relationship and share many experiences and can learn from each other. Each HER Residence allows for group time and activity. This gives the women a chance to focus solely on themselves. "They spend so much time worrying about so many different things: getting housing, child care, fearing the batterer," Wonder Woman says. "It's not often they realize they are important, that they need to take time out for themselves, to get in touch with their inner selves. I think, with the HER Residences, we are beginning to accomplish that."
The focus of the HER Residences Mission is, “To provide a safe environment for women in crisis and the necessary resources to build strong and healthy lives, while infusing them with hope." The ultimate goal is to bring about lasting change in the lives of women in crisis; to help them build stronger, more productive lives.
Women at HER Residence may participate in the program for up to two years, while residing there. The women transition from recovering, finding employment, beginning to save money as immediate issues to longer term issues such as reuniting with family members, cleaning up financial and legal matters and continuing their education.
Counseling sessions and group therapy are included in the daily and sometimes, nightly routines. It takes tremendous dedication and determination on the part of the women. Gradually, and at their own pace, these women are reintroduced to society as job-holders (and sometimes even homeowners) who are active and contributing members of the community.
The Daily Planet took the opportunity to meet Suzie Khan (name changed), Teenage Unwed Mother at HER (Hope Empower Rehabilitate) Residence, Metropolis
Note: Names have been changed to protect the identity of the people concerned
It's just 18 degrees outside, but Suzie Khan, 17, wears bright-pink flip-flops with faded, frayed jeans. She looks like any other junior as she hoists a backpack over one shoulder and weaves through the throng of teenagers changing classes at ABC High School, Metropolis. Then, as she enters the school's brightly lit cafeteria, she spots her case-worker, who's come with her infant son for a lunchtime visit. “Tommy!” Suzie cooed as she rushed over to make sure her baby's snowsuit is snug.
By now, 18 months after giving birth to Tommy, Suzie is accustomed to her demanding dual existence: By day she tackles Calculus and other college-prep courses; by night she changes diapers and reads nursery rhymes to her baby.
But, as Suzie’s HER Residence ‘big sister’, Zarine, 43, notes with considerable understatement, “It's no picnic.”
When she started high school, Suzie was on the clean-scrubbed side of average: she played the keyboard in the school band, earned A's, and hung out with friends who shunned drugs and alcohol in favor of movies and the mall.
But she soon started dating a sophomore from a nearby town. A few months later, at 15, she was one of the first among her friends to have sex. Although reluctant to say much about the boy, Suzie recalls that ‘he was real sweet to me -- I thought we were in love.’ She'd learned about birth control in junior high health classes, but somehow never thought of using it. “It just happened,” she says of their sexual relationship.
By spring she was pregnant -- and terrified. She feared disappointing her real-life parents, who cared for Suzie’s siblings while working as a hospital administrator (mother – Joan), and a Courier2U overnight package handler (father - Paul). Instead, she told only her boyfriend and the two fantasized in secret about raising their baby together.
It was at Suzie's 16th birthday party that her mother first registered her daughter's weight gain and realized with a jolt that the girl might be pregnant. She confronted her daughter and a home test confirmed her condition a week later. “I was heartbroken,” says Joan, who blames herself for letting Suzie go on dates in the boy's car and for not making sure she had contraception. “And angry,” she adds. “I said, 'I'm not taking care of another baby! My diaper days are over'” Joan suggested abortion, but Suzie was already four months along and wouldn't hear of it.
“We were pretty worried,” admits dad Paul, 43. “She couldn't put her own socks in the laundry basket. How was she gonna take care of a baby?”
But their daughter surprised them by joining Dove, a weekly support group run through HER Residences that helps teen mothers learn about childcare, prevent additional pregnancies, and complete their education.
Suzie quit the school band and began playing classical music to her unborn baby. And she steeled herself against gossip when she returned, hugely pregnant, to school in fall 2009 – an anomaly in the high-achieving student body of nearly 900. “They thought I slept around and called me names,” says Suzie.
After Tommy was born in October, Suzie missed two weeks of school; on her return her grades slipped and her friends drifted away (“We don't have anything in common anymore”).
She slept little and breastfed for six weeks while tackling chemistry and Mandarin II. She felt ostracized, but too exhausted to care. “I don't think I could have done it,” says Paul. "She held her head high and kept her chin up."
The Khan household has worked around including little Tommy almost seamlessly, with help from the volunteers at HER Residence. DOVE helps out with medical assistance and financial aid.
Suzie is determined to go to college, and committed to obtaining a scholarship to help with tuition. DOVE will continue to help with childcare until Suzie finds a job. “Tommy is adorable, but this situation should not be glamorized,” warns Zarine. “He should've been born 10 years from now.”
Suzie, who no longer dates and only occasionally goes out, agrees. Even when showing off baby pictures to other teens at school, she is a soft-spoken but firm advocate of abstinence and birth control. “My main point is don't do it,” she says of having sex in high school, “but if you're going to anyway, be safe.” She sighs, then adds, “I wish I would've waited.”
The Daily Planet looks at the Statistics:
1. After dropping 45% between 1991 and 2008, the birth rate among 15- to 19-year-old U.S. girls rose 3% in 2009 to 34%.
2. 35% of young women become pregnant at least once before age 20; 82% of the pregnancies are unintended. More than half give birth; roughly a third terminate the pregnancy; about 16% miscarry; fewer than 12% of those who give birth put their babies up for adoption.
3. Teens are waiting longer to have sex than they did in the mid-1990s, but 52% of all U.S. 15- to 19-year-olds have had sex at least once. The average age for first-time sex is 17.
Metropolis has the third-highest rates of teen pregnancy and births in the United States of America
Only about a third of teen mothers ever complete high school; nearly 80% of unmarried teen mothers end up on welfare
(This is the sixth article in our continuing series, Be Aware, Metropolis)
****
“Nice article, Clark,” said Lois as Clark Kent walked into the offices of The Daily Planet, munching on his favorite pretzel. “Do you have some more pretzels to share?”
Clark grinned.
It had been a wonderful time, discussing HER Residences with Diana. She had been totally divine – glowing with compassion, exuding confidence and radiating such love, that he had felt humbled in her presence.
And the chance to talk to the residents and listen to their stories had warmed his heart. Right then, he had vowed to do all he could as Clark to create public awareness and as Superman to be affiliated to HER Residences.
Responding to Lois’ question, he said, “Sure, Lois. And thanks for giving me the chance to meet with Wonder Woman. She’s really a wonder. She’s doing fabulous work. How does she manage to juggle so many things? Her role as Ambassador, her work at the HER Residences, her Mission, her…”
“…her beauty, her brains, her body,” interrupted Lois wryly. “Admit it, Clark. Any normal hot blooded male would die for a chance to be with Wonder Woman.”
“Well, now that you put it that way, I really, really enjoyed it. Can we do a follow-up, anytime, soon?” Clark asked, not too eagerly, he hoped.
He was also pleasantly surprised. He was not looking for Lois’ reaction to his wanting to spend time with Diana. He was genuinely looking forward to spending time with Diana.
And he was struck by a sudden realization.
He wanted to spend time with Diana, not just as Superman, but also as Clark. And the few occasions that Clark had spent time with Diana, he had loved it.
Lois watched the play of emotions on Clark’s face and sighed. Another one had slipped past her. She would miss Clark’s puppy-dog attention. It always helped to cheer her up when she was low. She sincerely hoped that his new-found infatuation for the Wonder Woman, the Ambassador of Themyscira would not end with Clark getting hurt.
She was genuinely fond of him, even if he was a dork and hopelessly unfashionable.
Would Wonder Woman even notice Clark’s infatuation?
Well, if she did not treat him kindly, Lois would have a few words with her. Wonder Woman or not, Clark was Clark. And Lois was damned fond of him.
She suddenly realized that Clark had shifted his gaze so that she was looking into his eyes. As she met the gleam in his clear blue eyes, she laughed self-consciously.
“How was your interview with Bruce Wayne?” Clark was asking her.
“The interview went well, lots of insights into the man. He’s far deeper than he reveals and I keep getting the feeling that there’s another side to him,” Lois replied pensively.
She didn’t share that Bruce and she had spent the rest of the night exploring their mutually strong attraction to each other. No point analyzing what had happened, she told herself briskly. They’d had sex and it had been very enjoyable. Bruce was a winner in bed.
Clark smiled at Lois. “Some people have all the luck – wined and dined by Gotham’s most eligible playboy. You’ve just got what it takes,” he said encouragingly.
“Have I told you that you’re utterly devoted and sweet as a friend and you’ll make me very conceited?” she responded playfully.
“Yes, a few times.” His eyes were warm and teasing and she blushed.
Clark noticed the blush. His super senses had picked up Lois’ heightened senses. And he knew that Bruce and she had spent the night together. Bruce had been honest enough with him.
Clark had warned Bruce not to hurt Lois. Not to tangle with her. Not woo her and then discard her, like he did with all the women he went out with.
All Bruce had said was, “Get out. You had your chance with Lois and you didn’t want her. Now I’ve got her. Let me deal with her.”
But this time, Bruce was wrong, Clark thought. Clark had never really wanted Lois in the first place.
A familiar ultra-sonic whine cut off Clark’s thoughts. Jimmy was in trouble or needed help.
Turning to Lois, he said, “Looks like those pretzels upset my stomach. I need to use the Men’s Room.”
And with that, he rushed out, in the general direction of the Men’s Room.
Lois sighed.
Clark was the only person she knew who could get a tummy upset from a pretzel.
****
Friday, March 5, 2010
Man delivers child on way to hospital
First person account
By Clark Kent, Staff Reporter , The Daily Planet
Photographs by Jimmy Olsen, Photographer, The Daily Planet
I must say that this is one of the more unusual stories that I have covered in my career.
Aran was 27 years old when he learned that his wife, Donna, was 3 months pregnant with their first child. Aran was thrilled. He says, “I've always heard horror stories about the labor room and was apprehensive about being there myself. On March 4, 2010, it was finally my turn.”
It was Sunday afternoon and Aran was putting some finishing touches on the baby's room when his wife Donna suddenly broke the news to him that she was in labor. Aran says that he was excited and nervous all at once.
She had been in mild labor for a couple of hours, but had decided not to tell him right away because she knew that they would be in for a long haul and didn't want to get to the hospital too early.
The fact that they had had two false alarms earlier made this decision seem logical to her.
Says Aran, “I got my stopwatch and was ready to time the next contraction. The doctor had told us to leave for the hospital when the contractions were 4 to 5 minutes apart, since we had 30 miles to go. Donna's contractions were 7 minutes apart, so thinking that we had plenty of time, she took a quick shower. I got the car packed with the suitcases.”
“Donna’s contractions were getting more painful and closer together. It seemed like it took forever for her to get dressed, stopping during each contraction, which were now 2 minutes apart! We finally headed out the door at 9:05 a.m. I think she had 3 contractions just walking to the car.
As I drove down the little street, I needed to go slow, but at the same time wanted to hurry because I didn't want to deliver the baby myself. I asked Donna if we should stop to get the mail.
After hearing her response, I knew that we were in trouble! I stepped on it and as I flew past the next signal, her water broke.
She told me to pull over right away because she was going to have the baby. I said, ‘We can't stop here, we need to get to the hospital. Just relax and breathe.’”
Donna screeched back at Aran, “You tell the baby that!”
Aran proceeded to get onto the freeway, but he couldn't go much faster than 50mph because there was a lot of traffic .Donna kept urging him to pull over, but he was sure that he could make it, even though they still had 26 miles to go.
Suddenly, there was a loud backfire.
Thinking that something might be going wrong with the car, Aran pulled over at the next exit.
Thinking quickly, Aran called his high school buddy, Jimmy Olsen on his cell phone. Could he send some help over? An ambulance?
As Aran drove into a nearby parking lot, he was really panicked. He jumped out of the car and shouted loudly, “My wife's having a baby!”
There was no one to hear him.
No one? Nope, someone had already heard him and help was on the way.
Aran made room in the car, pushed back the seat and checked Donna for dilation.
Aran continues his story, “I checked her and yelled, ‘Oh my God, she's a 10!’ I quickly got into the car and parked the car in the shade. The next few minutes flew by as we were timing Donna's contractions, awaiting the arrival of the ambulance or any other help that my friend Jimmy Olsen would send. Donna was still in the passenger's seat with the doors open. Suddenly, she yelled loudly that she could feel the baby's head and she was ready to push. And before we knew it, our first baby, little Carl came out, arriving at 11.05 am!”
“I wrapped him up in a blanket and a second later, a red and blue figure was standing next to me.
It was Superman.
‘Hello, Superman’, I said, ‘meet Carl. Carl beat you to it’.
Superman simply smiled. Scooping up Donna and our son in his cloak, he flew away with them to the Metropolitan General Hospital.
I got into the car and followed them.
Later, much later, I remembered, Jimmy Olsen was Superman’s pal.
Thank you, Superman and thank you, Jimmy!”