I am now nearly 46 years old, have two wonderful teenage sons and a very rich and happy life. I was 15 years old when I found myself pregnant and afraid. Believe it or not, I got pregnant the first time I ever had sexual intercourse. And, as for probably a lot of women, that experience wasn't all it was cracked up to be! An older boy, a drunken teen-age party, you know the scenario. Not good.
I spent a lot of the first few weeks that I suspected I was pregnant in
denial and fear. Fear of what my friends and parents might say.
Finally, I shared my plight with older sister. She was in college at
the time and oddly enough had had an abortion only weeks before. (And
she's not sorry either!) She convinced me to go to my parents - she
broke the news to them for me (it was what I wanted) and then they and
I talked. They totally supported me in my decision to have an
abortion. My father is a doctor, my mother a nurse. They made the
arrangements and stood by me. I never again doubted how far they would
go for me.
To this day, I only think about the love and respect my sister and my
parents gave me through my decision and proceedure. I don't for one
minute regret not becoming a single parent at 15. I went on to have a
happy high school and college experience and adulthood. None of these
things would have been possible if the option of abortion had not been
available. It would have put a huge burden upon my parents and family
(for they would have stood by me in my choice to keep the baby as well)
and I would have begun my adult life with a lot less opportunities.
And there is one less child in this world who was not really wanted!
Women deserve to be able to make this choice. Children deserve to be
wanted. We will not burn in hell because of it. We are not all
emotionally handicapped. We are fabulous, contributing citizens. We
are beautiful and strong, compassionate and wise. And we're NOT
SORRY!!!
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