My name is Lisa, I had an abortion almost 2 years ago. I had already lived through an unplanned pregnancy at the age of 18. I have a beautiful teenage son, whom I received no help from his dad, and no help from the state because I chose to work. Already knowing how tough this can be I vowed this would never happen again. WRONG! For 15 years I was so careful and then there was a slip up when I lost my pills during my move to a new place. Things were hard, but I finally had a stable (low paying, no insurance) job and I had just closed on a 2 bedroom condo with some help from my parents. This was definitely not in my plans! I discussed the situation with my boyfriend that I had dated for almost a year, he immediately said he did not want a baby, he already had 2 daughters. I was embarrassed and ashamed of the situation I was in. An appointment at the local health dept. confirmed the pregnancy, the next morning I scheduled the appointment for an abortion. I never imagined I would be in this mess! Several of my friends had already had abortions. I considered myself lucky that I had not experienced one and never thought I would have to. I wasn’t sure of my views on abortion, but I knew it was the right choice. I was scared, ashamed, embarrassed. There was a million emotions. My boyfriend drove me there and paid the front desk. It was a very humbling experience. Sitting there with all those women different races, different ages, different situations all in a room with our gowns on. Some cried, some talked, some just sat quietly. The nurse handed out the pills to relax us. I only took half, because I knew I had things to do that day and I had to appear to be normal to my family. I was very alert, it was very painful. But I survived it. That day I tried to have a normal day, so my son wouldn’t notice. I attended his basketball game and cheered him on like usual. I thought I would never quit thinking about it, but time heals all wounds and now it crosses my mind once in awhile. But, I’m Ok with it. The boyfriend cheated and moved on. Picture me sitting in my son’s high school gym with a new baby, 2 jobs and no man? But I did what I had to do and my family didn’t know. Some of my close friends knew and they were supportive. Women do what they have to do to survive. And we shouldn’t carry the guilt or the burdens on our heart. Lord knows, the men move past it quickly. Women our strong and we endure a lot, we can not let our hearts be heavy, but learn from our mistakes and hope for the best in our lives.
Be supportive of the women around you no matter what choice they make. Women sticking together will make the world a better place.
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