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If I needed an abortion, I would want to know these 5 obstacles to planning for the care I need.

This state says you have to wait, that state made it so hard for clinics to remain open that you have to drive several hours just to find one. Making the decision to abort is difficult enough, and on top of that, the extremists who are against it can make it a logistical nightmare. Here's what you need to know about getting an abortion in America.

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If you're under 18 and decide abortion is your best option, you could be in for a difficult time depending on which state you live in and whether you have supportive parental units. Some states need no parental sign-off, and others require notarized permission from BOTH parents. Hopefully you have at least one parent you can lean on for support during this time, but that's not always every teenager's reality. Here's where you can find out what the law is in your state.


If it's been less than 13 weeks since your last period, you're not going to have a hard time because of this, but if it's been longer, find out what your state's laws are so you can plan to get the care you need in the time frame necessary. Check out the gestational limits by state in the third map in this link.

Abortions cost money, and there's been a whole lot of legislative shenanigans to prevent insurance and Medicaid from covering them (it differs by state). It can range anywhere from $300 to $950, with the average being around $450. If you need abortion care and pulling together the funds is impossible, try this link.

In some states, there are fewer than three abortion providers available. Some states have passed laws that make it so difficult to meet the standards needed to operate that facilities have no choice but to shut down. Call (800) 230-PLAN to get reliable information on providers in your area, and start thinking now about how you can get the time away and transportation you'll need.

Some states have passed mandatory waiting periods (see the first map here), meaning MORE time off from work or school AND more planning/expense for transportation and child care. If that weren't bad enough, some states require you to undergo an ultrasound (see the last map here). Sometimes they even stipulate that you look at the ultrasound screen with your eyeballs for some prescribed amount of time. It's sadistic, I know. Please line up a friend or family member to support you during the procedure, and accept my woman-in-solidarity virtual hug in advance.

To go over the above obstacles with a little more depth, watch the super-useful video below. And if you think women who aren't ready to be mothers could use a little more support and a lot less degradation, please share this and show that you support a woman's right to own her own destiny.

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Making new friends as an adult is challenging. While people crave meaningful IRL connections, it can be hard to know where to find them. But thanks to one Facebook Group, meeting your new best friends is easier than ever.

Founded in 2018, NYC Brunch Squad brings together hundreds of people who come as strangers and leave as friends through its in-person events.

“Witnessing the transformative impact our community has on the lives of our members is truly remarkable. We provide the essential support and connections needed to thrive amid the city's chaos,” shares Liza Rubin, the group’s founder.

Despite its name, the group doesn’t just do brunch. They also have book clubs, seasonal parties, and picnics, among other activities.

NYC Brunch Squad curates up to 10 monthly events tailored to the specific interests of its members. Liza handles all the details, taking into account different budgets and event sizes – all people have to do is show up.

“We have members who met at our events and became friends and went on to embark on international journeys to celebrate birthdays together. We have had members get married with bridesmaids by their sides who were women they first connected with at our events. We’ve had members decide to live together and become roommates,” Liza says.

Members also bond over their passion for giving back to their community. The group has hosted many impact-driven events, including a “Picnic with Purpose” to create self-care packages for homeless shelters and recently participated in the #SquadSpreadsJoy challenge. Each day, the 100 members participating receive random acts of kindness to complete. They can also share their stories on the group page to earn extra points. The member with the most points at the end wins a free seat at the group's Friendsgiving event.

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3,700-year-old Babylonian stone tablet gets translated, changes history

They were doing trigonometry 1500 years before the Greeks.

via UNSW

Dr. Daniel Mansfield and his team at the University of New South Wales in Australia have just made an incredible discovery. While studying a 3,700-year-old tablet from the ancient civilization of Babylon, they found evidence that the Babylonians were doing something astounding: trigonometry!

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Mom’s blistering rant on how men are responsible for all unwanted pregnancies is on the nose

“ALL unwanted pregnancies are caused by the irresponsible ejaculations of men. Period. Don't believe me? Let me walk you through it."

Mom has something to say... strongly say.

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as Mormons, are a conservative group who aren't known for being vocal about sex.

But best selling author, blogger, and mother of six, Gabrielle Blair, has kicked that stereotype to the curb with a pointed thread on reducing unwanted pregnancies. And her sights are set directly at men.

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Terrified, emaciated dog comes to life as volunteer sits with him for human connection

He tries making himself so small in the kennel until he realizes he's safe.

Terrified dog transforms after human sits with him.

There's something about dogs that makes people just want to cuddle them. They have some of the sweetest faces with big curious eyes that make them almost look cartoonish at times. But not all dogs get humans that want to snuggle up with them on cold nights; some dogs are neglected or abandoned. That's where animal shelters come in, and they work diligently to take care of any medical needs and find these animals loving homes.

Volunteers are essential to animal shelters running effectively to fill in the gaps employees may not have time for. Rocky Kanaka has been volunteering to sit with dogs to provide comfort. Recently he uploaded a video of an extremely emaciated Vizsla mix that was doing his best to make himself as small as possible in the corner of the kennel.

Kanaka immediately wanted to help him adjust so he would feel comfortable enough to eat and eventually get adopted. The dog appeared scared of his new location and had actually rubbed his nose raw from anxiety, but everything changed when Kanaka came along.

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She tattooed half her face and you'd never know it. Her skills are just that good.

This incredible medical tattoo technology is giving renewed hope to burn victims.

All images via the CBS/YouTube

Basma Hameed runs a tattoo shop, of sorts...


Meet Samira Omar.

The 17-year-old was the victim of a horrific bullying incident.

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Images via Alan Taylor/Flickr, used with permission.

Updating the kitchen.


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Voice recordings of people who were enslaved offer incredible first-person accounts of U.S. history

"The results of these digitally enhanced recordings are arresting, almost unbelievable. The idea of hearing the voices of actual slaves from the plantations of the Old South is as powerful—as startling, really—as if you could hear Abraham Lincoln or Robert E. Lee speak." - Ted Koppel

Library of Congress

When we think about the era of American slavery, many of us tend to think of it as the far distant past. While slavery doesn't exist as a formal institution today, there are people living who knew formerly enslaved black Americans first-hand. In the wide arc of history, the legal enslavement of people on U.S. soil is a recent occurrence—so recent, in fact, that we have voice recordings of interviews with people who lived it.

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