I was lucky that it occurred to me to call the ACLU, and that it then agreed to represent me. Less than a week after the organization sent a letter telling Mercy Medical to allow me to undergo the procedure, the hospital changed its tune and agreed to make a medical exception for me to have the procedure.The decision that I made was between my family and my doctor, and it should not involve Catholic bishops. Non-medical professionals should not be allowed to deny doctors the ability to provide best medical care to their patients. Because of the rapid expansion of Catholic-affiliated hospitals in California and across the United States, I worry my situation is not unique. I have to say that this has been a roller-coaster ride I did not want to be on, but I felt I had no choice. I did not plan to be in the media and open myself and my family up to scrutiny from complete strangers. I have followed my case in the media and have been overwhelmed by the support I’ve received, but I’d be lying if I said that it was all positive. In response to a negative comment, one person came to my defense and wrote that perhaps I was “too tough to be shamed or intimidated.” This comment has really resonated with me. I do not generally think of myself as tough, but it made me think: Maybe I am tough — tougher than even I realized. A reporter at a local newspaper even mentioned that it had several women post on its Facebook page in response to my story, saying that they also had been denied care. I can only hope that women out there reading this, the ones who received the same rejection letter that I did, recognize that they, too, are tougher than they realize. Perhaps those women will think of my story and stand up for their right to proper medical care. Rachel Miller is a lawyer living in Redding, CA, with her husband and child — and their second due this September. She partnered with the ACLU to fight for her right to get her tubes tied after being turned away by her nearest hospital because of its religious policies. The hospital agreed to make an exception after Rachel and the ACLU sent a letter threatening to sue if it didn’t provide this standard procedure.