National Abortion Federation Blog: Saporta Reporter
| News about reproductive choice from the President and CEO of the National Abortion Federation, Vicki Saporta. |
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We continue to mourn the loss of our friend and colleague, Dr. George Tiller. Dr. Tiller was a dedicated physician who provided quality abortion care to women, at great personal sacrifice and risk. He is truly a hero to his fellow abortion providers and his patients. Dr. Tiller’s office is filled with letters from women, thanking him for the excellent, compassionate care he provided. Many of these women say Dr. Tiller saved their lives.
Since his tragic death, we have received messages from some of his patients and from people around the world who are saddened and outraged. We feel it is important to share these words and tributes to our beloved colleague and friend. For the first time, we will enable comments on our blog so that all of you can share your condolences or offer memories of Dr. Tiller. We invite you to join us in honoring a true American hero, Dr. George Tiller.
Post your comments, condolences, and personal memories of Dr. Tiller
Austin, Texas City Council Votes to Regulate Crisis Pregnancy Centers
Last week, the Austin, TX City Council voted unanimously to require Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCs) that don't offer or refer clients for abortion care or birth control services to post signs with that information at their facilities.This ordinance comes two months after the Baltimore, MD City Council passed a similar law requiring CPCs without licensed medical professionals to post signs informing women that they were not receiving information from medical professionals. The majority of CPCs often use deceptive advertising practices to give the appearance that they are legitimate medical clinics that provide a variety of reproductive health care services, including family planning and abortion care. In reality, most CPCs do not provide full options counseling and generally will not refer for abortion care or birth control. Women who mistakenly visit CPCs describe being harassed, intimidated, and given blatantly false information at their appointments. If you have experience with a deceptive CPC, we would be interested in hearing your story.>Learn more about CPCs.Labels: crisis pregnancy center (CPC), maryland, texas
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Justice John Paul Stevens Retires from the Supreme Court
Today we issued the following statement:Throughout his 35 years on the Supreme Court, Justice John Paul Stevens has been an influential member of the Court known for his protection of civil rights and civil liberties. We thank him for his years of dedicated public service, and wish him well in his retirement. Justice Stevens consistently and vigorously upheld the protections of Roe v. Wade. He voted to uphold a woman's right to choose in several important cases, including Casey and Stenberg ( Carhart I). Most recently in Carhart II, Stevens joined Justice Ginsburg's impassioned dissent attacking the majority for placing women's health in danger when the Court upheld a federal law banning certain abortion procedures in 2007. In 2000, Stevens wrote the majority opinion in the Court’s decision to uphold a Colorado buffer zone measure that protected women seeking abortion care from harassment. The Supreme Court plays a critical role in protecting women’s access to abortion care, and the last two cases involving abortion ( Carhart I and II) have been decided by just one vote. This vacancy is an opportunity for President Obama to select a justice who will uphold the right to privacy found in the United States Constitution with the same vigor as Justice Stevens. Labels: Obama Administration, Supreme Court
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State News Round-Up
Anti-choice legislators in the states continue to restrict women’s access to abortion care by passing bills that ban health insurance coverage for abortion, interfere in the doctor-patient relationship, and place an undue burden on both women and their health care providers. Last week, the Tennessee House Commerce Committee passed a bill that would eliminate insurance coverage for abortion care from a health insurance exchange slated to go into effect in 2014. Several states are considering a variety of different restrictions on insurance coverage for abortion care under the new structure created by federal health care reform. The Tennessee legislature also approved a bill that would require abortion clinics to post signs that read, in part, "It is against the law for anyone, regardless of the person's relationship to you, to coerce you into having or to force you to have an abortion." A similar measure was recently passed in Georgia. These bills are unnecessary, as abortion providers already work extensively with their patients to determine that their decision is voluntary and informed. In Oklahoma, Governor Brad Henry signed into law three separate anti-choice bills. The statutes outlaw gender-specific abortion; regulate the provision of medical abortion; and create the Freedom of Conscience Act, which says employers "cannot discriminate against an employee by refusing to accommodate the religious beliefs of said person as it pertains to abortion, human embryos, fetal transplants or euthanasia.">Learn more about state restrictions.Labels: access, georgia, health insurance, oklahoma, state legislation, tennessee
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Wednesday's Words from Women
 Over one-third of women of reproductive age have an abortion by the age of 45. However, women who have chosen abortion are often absent from the public debate. In order to break the silence surrounding abortion, we will be featuring real stories from real women each Wednesday on our blog. If you would like to share your story with us or have it published on our blog, go to http://www.prochoice.org/pregnant/hotline/share.html.I am currently separated from my spouse. He is not dependable right now, and has not been for the last year. I do not doubt my ability to love and support a child, but I do doubt my ability to financially provide. If it’s a struggle to pay for this service, how can I expect to provide basics? I cannot imagine the lifetime struggle I would have faced if this option were not here. I now can continue my life for the child I already have. I know I can support her, and I can look forward to a healthy, loving supportive relationship that may bless me again with a child.
--Submitted by Rae* through a member clinicWhen I found out I was pregnant, I was very scared and I did not know what I was going to do. I knew that I wasn’t capable of taking care of a child at this time. Knowing that there are still caring people in the world who want to help you get through such a tough thing really means the world to me. Thank you for your kindness and understanding. --Submitted by Kristina* through a member clinicLabels: patient stories, wednesday's words from women
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Man Arrested for Threatening NAF Member
A Dallas man is facing federal charges for threatening NAF member Southwestern Women’s Surgery Center in Dallas, TX. Erlyndon Joseph Lo, 27, went to the Plano federal courthouse last Friday and filed a court document saying that at noon that day, he was planning to go to the clinic and "use deadly force…," according to court documents. Lo was arrested by the FBI on Saturday and remains in custody. "We won’t tolerate threats to clinics,” said Mark White, spokesman for the Dallas FBI. "We acted swiftly to ensure that no one was injured and that no act of violence actually did take place.”Lo has been charged with one felony count of communicating a threat via an instrument of interstate commerce and one misdemeanor violation of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act. If convicted, he faces up to six years in prison. >Learn more about clinic violence.Labels: clinic violence, FACE act
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Convicted Murderer Scott Roeder Sentenced
Today I released the following statement:Today a judge in Wichita, KS sentenced anti-abortion extremist and convicted murderer Scott Roeder to the maximum sentence allowed by Kansas law for the murder of NAF member Dr. George Tiller.
While this won’t bring Dr. Tiller back, it is important that Roeder spend the rest of his life in prison so that he cannot harm another abortion provider. Anyone thinking of committing a similar crime also needs to understand that there is no justification for murdering an abortion provider, and that if they commit such a crime they will spend the rest of their lives in prison.
In January, a Sedgwick County jury took just 37 minutes to convict Roeder of first-degree murder and two counts of aggravated assault. Under Kansas law he faced a mandatory life sentence with the possibility of parole after 25 years; however, based on aggravating circumstances, prosecutors requested and received a “Hard 50” sentence, which requires Roeder to serve at least 50 years before he can be considered for parole. Roeder is 52 years old.
We hope this sentence will serve as a deterrent for those who may be considering following in Roeder’s footsteps. In a civilized society, we cannot allow anti-abortion extremists to take the law into their own hands in order to advance their own personal, political agendas. Labels: clinic violence, Dr. George Tiller, Kansas, Scott Roeder, violence
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NAF Member: An Open Letter to Bart Stupak
NAF member Carole Joffe, author of Doctors of Conscience and the recently released Dispatches from the Abortion Wars, has just published an open letter to Congressman Bart Stupak about the violence and harassment abortion providers face every day. Published on the website of Beacon Press, the letter reads in part: “ I wonder, however, if your own experience has made you more empathetic with abortion providers, who have for years endured similar behavior from the same antiabortion extremists who have now targeted you? Though obviously you and the provider community do not agree on the abortion issue, perhaps now you can agree with them that the disagreements over this issue must remain civil. How can we call ourselves a democracy if we cannot express political beliefs without fear of violence? Congressman Stupak, I respectfully call on you to disavow violence against all Americans, not just elected officials.” Carole’s letter is particularly timely, as today Scott Roeder will be sentenced for the murder of Dr. George Tiller. > Read the entire letter here. Labels: health care reform, Scott Roeder, violence
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Wednesday's Words from Women
Over one-third of women of reproductive age have an abortion by the age of 45. However, women who have chosen abortion are often absent from the public debate. In order to break the silence surrounding abortion, we will be featuring real stories from real women each Wednesday on our blog. If you would like to share your story with us or have it published on our blog, go to http://www.prochoice.org/pregnant/hotline/share.html.The clinic and the Hotline made a big difference in my life. My boyfriend and I are both unemployed and knew that having a child at this point in my life would be very difficult. The clinic and Hotline’s assistance have allowed me to pursue my dreams.
--Submitted by Nadine* through a member clinicI have a five-year-old daughter and since she was born my whole life has been geared towards her safety and happiness. Now that I am a mother, my views have changed on what women’s rights are and how we need to protect them. If anything bad ever happened to my daughter and an unexpected pregnancy was the result…I would just die if someone was able to just snap their fingers and decide what was best for her future without knowing or caring about how she felt. I am and always will be pro-choice because of my beautiful baby girl. --Submitted by Jessica* through our website
*Names changed to protect patient privacyLabels: patient stories, wednesday's words from women
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NAF Calls for Redefinition of What Being Pro-Choice Means Status Quo Harms Millions of Low-Income Women
Today, I issued the following statement:Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed historic health care reform legislation. And while we agree that the health care system is certainly broken, it is unfortunate that reform continued the discrimination against our country’s most vulnerable women. Health care reform was intended to expand comprehensive health care coverage for millions of Americans. Abortion care is basic health care for women and should not be treated differently from any other health care service, yet restrictions like the Hyde Amendment seriously limit women’s access to care. Although it has been the status quo for more than 30 years, the Hyde Amendment is a harmful, unacceptable policy that discriminates against millions of women who rely on the government for the rest of their health care. While many of us feel very strongly that public funding restrictions need to be lifted, the pro-choice community did not attempt to use health care reform as a vehicle to advance this important goal. Now that reform has been passed, it is time for pro-choice leaders in the private and public sectors to come together to truly address the inequalities in access to abortion care and work to repeal the Hyde Amendment. Every month, our toll-free Hotline receives thousands of calls from women who are unable to afford the abortion care they need. We recently heard from a woman who was fleeing an abusive relationship and although she had Medicaid, it wouldn’t cover her abortion; a full-time college student who was selling her textbooks to raise money for her procedure because health insurance through school didn’t cover abortion care; a rape victim and mother who was pawning her possessions in order to afford an abortion; an unemployed mother of four who was facing eviction and suicidal because she could not afford an abortion; and a single mother raising a child with a disability, who was employed and on Medicaid, but unable to afford the cost of the abortion care she needed. In a fair and just society, we cannot continue to discriminate against our poorest women and their families. It’s time to redefine what being pro-choice means in this country. You can’t be pro-choice and deny low-income women the same access to abortion care as wealthier women. While passing health care reform was important, it is critical that the President and our pro-choice allies in Congress now turn to protecting the health and rights of low-income women and begin to work toward the repeal of the Hyde Amendment. All women—regardless of their economic status—deserve equal access to the abortion care they need. Labels: health care reform, women
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Wednesday's Words from Women
Over one-third of women of reproductive age have an abortion by the age of 45. However, women who have chosen abortion are often absent from the public debate. In order to break the silence surrounding abortion, we will be featuring real stories from real women each Wednesday on our blog. If you would like to share your story with us or have it published on our blog, go to http://www.prochoice.org/pregnant/hotline/share.html.The clinic has really helped me in many ways. They helped me to make the right decision and to understand that I’m a good person. They helped me to realize that I don’t have to be ready to have a baby. I don’t have to rush things just because of what other people say. They helped me to become a woman and know what’s right for me, and it’s not that hard with the help of the clinic and the Hotline.
--Submitted by Cindy* through a member clinicI became pregnant only one year after the birth of my first child. I do not have the means to support a second child nor do I believe that it would be fair to my son to have another so soon. I was raised in a Unitarian Universalist family and we were brought up to be pro-choice. I knew that abortion was the safest and best option for me at this time. --Submitted by Ellen* through our website*Names changed to protect patient privacyLabels: patient stories, wednesday's words from women
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Wednesday's Words from Women
Over one-third of women of reproductive age have an abortion by the age of 45. However, women who have chosen abortion are often absent from the public debate. In order to break the silence surrounding abortion, we will be featuring real stories from real women each Wednesday on our blog. If you would like to share your story with us or have it published on our blog, go to http://www.prochoice.org/pregnant/hotline/share.html.I have two sets of twins, both delivered via C-section. The second delivery was extremely difficult due to severe scar tissue. My doctor informed me this pregnancy could take my life or leave me with severe complications. I have four small children, two seven-year-olds and two eight-year-olds, and I could not risk not being there to watch them grow up and share their lives.
--Submitted by Karen* through a member clinicAfter the pregnancy test came back positive, I knew that I was going to get an abortion. I'm only 21; I'm too young to be a mom, and I don't have the money to support myself and a child. I'm still in college, and I don't want to drop out and end an art career that had yet to start. Not to mention the man involved was no longer in my life. He's also still in college, and I didn't want to put the burden on him of paying child support and student loans. It wouldn't be fair to either of us. I went to a clinic outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The first visit there was for a sonogram and to find out my blood type. One of my best friends went with me for support. I love her so much for going with me. My next visit was for the actual procedure. I'm lucky that my mom was understanding; she went with me so that she could drive me home. The staff at the clinic is just amazing; they made sure that I understood the procedure and what was going to happen after. They also had a counselor for me to talk to about the abortion. I know this was the right choice for me. It was the hardest thing I've ever had to go through, but I'll never regret my decision. I'm just thankful that my close friends and my mom were there for me to help get me through everything. --Submitted by Abigail* through our website*Names have been changed to protect patient privacyLabels: patient stories, wednesday's words from women
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NAF Board Member Profiled in The Washington Post
Today, The Washington Post profiled abortion provider and NAF Board Member Dr. Carol Ball. Dr. Ball is one of four physicians who travel from out of state to provide abortions in South Dakota, which has not had an in-state provider of elective abortions since 1994. South Dakota has seen some of the fiercest challenges to Roe v. Wade, including a 2006 bill that would have banned all abortions except when a woman’s life was in danger. Voters in the state rejected this ban in 2006, and a similar measure in 2008. Dr. Ball has cared for women for nearly 30 years. She currently serves as the medical director for Planned Parenthood’s regional office in the Twin Cities. The clinic she works at in South Dakota is the only clinic in the entire state. Labels: access, members, South Dakota
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Wednesday's Words from Women
Over one-third of women of reproductive age have an abortion by the age of 45. However, women who have chosen abortion are often absent from the public debate. In order to break the silence surrounding abortion, we will be featuring real stories from real women each Wednesday on our blog. If you would like to share your story with us or have it published on our blog, go to http://www.prochoice.org/pregnant/hotline/share.html.I chose this decision because I always wanted to bring kids into a better world, one where I would be married to the man I was having kids with, not separated. I wanted to be caught up on my bills and prepared for having kids. It was a hard decision to make, but in my life right now it is the best decision for me. --Submitted by Avery* through a member clinicGrowing up I went to a private Presbyterian high school with devotions and Bible class every day along with chapel every Sunday. One of the most exciting events for the school was when we all caravanned to the capitol to march in a pro-life parade once a year. I always did it, but deep down I knew I felt differently. I was about to graduate college when I became pregnant. I saw a little plus sign on the stick, picked up my phone, and made an appointment. When the day came I was nervous but ready. In the waiting room I met a mother of two. She didn’t have access to care where she lived in Nashville and had to drive a long way to obtain an abortion. Another girl chimed in that she was from Macon, Georgia. Their stories came as a shock to me because these women had to travel so far and pay so much to get care that I was able to access so easily due to my insurance and location. The clinic was extraordinary, they offered counseling and the entire office was comfortable. I felt a light bulb go off waiting for the doctor. Two years previously I had gone through a rape trial that had dragged out for years, and my rapist was only sentenced to one year. There my rights were almost nothing, whereas here at the clinic, I felt empowered—everything mattered and my choice was supported. I was put under anesthesia for 30 minutes and then it was over. The only discomfort I felt was minor cramping, and the relief was extraordinary. I left feeling happier than I had felt in years for many reasons. The biggest reason was that this was the first major decision I had made myself. I now knew that I was in control of my life and decisions.
--Submitted by Mariah* through a member clinicNames have been changed to protect patient privacyLabels: patient stories, wednesday's words from women
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Wednesday's Words from Women
Over one-third of women of reproductive age have an abortion by the age of 45. However, women who have chosen abortion are often absent from the public debate. In order to break the silence surrounding abortion, we will be featuring real stories from real women each Wednesday on our blog. If you would like to share your story with us or have it published on our blog, go to http://www.prochoice.org/pregnant/hotline/share.html.My boyfriend and I are both college students in the Cleveland area, and I just finished my freshman year as an English major. Starting a career after graduation is very important to me. Though children are precious and my boyfriend and I would love to have them one day, now is not the time. It would be senseless for me to parent a child before I am financially or emotionally grounded. I greatly appreciate the Hotline’s help, because this procedure is essential to my future success. --Submitted by Grace* through a member clinicI am a single mother of two beautiful children, a girl and a boy, ages seven and nine. I recently returned to college to complete my bachelor’s of nursing. Though my boyfriend and I love each other very much, this is not the right time for a child. I have put my life on hold to ensure I can be around for my children. Now that they are older it’s time for me to finish what I started (college) so many years ago, so I may ensure a better future for myself and my children. I appreciate the help from the clinic and the Hotline. Thank you!
--Submitted by Angela* through a member clinic*Names have been changed to protect patient privacyLabels: patient stories, wednesday's words from women
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Maternal Health Pledge Must Include Access to Safe Abortion Care
Today, I issued the following statement:Last week, Prime Minister Harper announced that he plans to make maternal health in the developing world a priority when he hosts the G8 summit in June. If the Prime Minister is truly serious about improving women’s health internationally, his initiatives must address the comprehensive maternal and reproductive health care needs of women, including access to safe abortion care.
As we have seen in Canada and other countries throughout the world, access to safe, legal abortion care preserves women’s health and saves women’s lives. Unsafe abortion remains one of the leading causes of maternal mortality in developing nations. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 70,000 women worldwide die from unsafe abortions annually and millions more are injured, many permanently.
The WHO also estimates that up to 40 percent of maternal deaths could be prevented with access to family planning and contraception services. International health and development agencies, including Amnesty International and the United Nations, consistently link contraception to maternal health in the developing world.
However, last week Canadian International Development Agency Minister Bev Oda said the government’s child and maternal health strategy will not address unsafe abortions in developing countries or support access to family planning and contraception. Canada must not follow in the footsteps of the United States, which during the Bush Administration restricted funding for foreign organizations providing abortion counseling, referrals, or care, and those who worked to challenge abortion restrictions. This policy had devastating consequences for the millions of women in developing nations who rely upon such organizations for essential health care services.
This is a critical opportunity for Prime Minister Harper to champion the health of some of the world’s poorest women. We join Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff and others in the Liberal Party in urging the Prime Minister to keep ideology out of the maternal health initiative and include access to contraception and abortion care in his efforts to improve maternal health care.
Labels: Canada, Contraception, Global Gag Rule, international, maternal health
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Letter to the Editor: Abortion and the Health Pledge
Today, my letter to the editor was published in The Globe and Mail: If the Prime Minister is serious about improving women’s health internationally, his initiatives must address the comprehensive maternal and reproductive health care needs of women, including access to safe abortion care. As we’ve seen here and in other countries around the world, access to safe, legal abortion care preserves women’s health and saves women’s lives. Unsafe abortion remains one of the leading causes of maternal mortality in developing nations. According to the World Health Organization, nearly 70,000 women worldwide die from unsafe abortions annually and millions more are injured, many permanently.
This is a critical opportunity for Mr. Harper to champion the health of some of the world’s poorest women. We join Mr. Ignatieff in urging the Prime Minister to include access to contraception and abortion care in his efforts to improve maternal health care.
Labels: Canada, international, letter to the editor, maternal health, unsafe abortion
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Montgomery County (MD) Regulates Crisis Pregnancy Centers
This week, the Montgomery County Council in Maryland passed a bill that requires pregnancy centers without licensed medical professionals to post signs telling women that they are not receiving information from medical professionals. This bill is expected to affect the operations of crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs), the majority of which do not have medical professionals on staff, and often use deceptive advertising practices to give the appearance that they are legitimate medical clinics that provide a variety of reproductive health care services, including family planning and abortion care. In reality, most CPCs do not provide full options counseling and generally will not refer for abortion care or birth control. Women who mistakenly visit CPCs describe being harassed, intimidated, and given blatantly false information at their appointments. The bill passed on a vote of 7-2. If you have experience with a deceptive CPC, we would be interested in hearing your story. >Learn more about CPCs.Labels: crisis pregnancy center (CPC), health care, maryland
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“The Abortion Monologues” Opens in Calgary
Following its 2009 premiere at NAF’s Annual Meeting, The Abortion Monologues is set to open today at Mount Royal University in Calgary. In a profile in this week’s Maclean’s, playwright Jane Cawthorne, a former women’s studies teacher who now writes full-time, discusses the show, which presents more than 20 fictional female characters’ experiences with abortion. “I felt that the public discussion on abortion was polarized, and didn’t reflect what goes on in the real lives of women,” says Cawthorne, who has volunteered with non-profit women’s health and reproductive rights groups for two decades. “Whatever you believe about abortion, at some point in the play, you will be forced to think again.” Labels: play, reproductive rights, women
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Wednesday's Words from Women
Over one-third of women of reproductive age have an abortion by the age of 45. However, women who have chosen abortion are often absent from the public debate. In order to break the silence surrounding abortion, we will be featuring real stories from real women each Wednesday on our blog. If you would like to share your story with us or have it published on our blog, go to http://www.prochoice.org/pregnant/hotline/share.html.I found out I was pregnant when I was reaching the end of an abusive relationship that was getting worse by the day. I went into the clinic one hundred percent sure of my decision. Had I not gone through with the abortion, I would have a person in my life who, to this day, would find any way he could to abuse me or destroy any relationship I was in. I would not be in school, and I would not be happy. Having the abortion was the fairest thing I could have done for myself. It's my body, my life, and my choice.
--submitted by Allison* through our websiteI was notified that the genetic test results showed some problems. After further testing (CVS), it was determined there were genetic abnormalities with the pregnancy. It was an agonizing decision to terminate my pregnancy but I believe it was the right decision to make. The heartache my fiancé and I feel over this whole situation has been lessened because the Hotline supported our right to self-determination emotionally. Thank you! --submitted by Mackenzie* through a member clinic*Names have been changed to protect patient privacyLabels: patient stories, wednesday's words from women
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Roeder Found Guilty of First Degree Murder
Today we released the following statement: Today in just 37 minutes, the jury in Wichita found Scott Roeder guilty of first degree murder and two counts of aggravated assault. While this verdict won't bring back Dr. Tiller, it is important that justice was served. Important for the safety and security of other abortion providers and important for women's continued ability to access quality abortion care. In a civilized society, we cannot allow anti-abortion extremists to murder abortion providers in order to advance their own religious and political beliefs. There is no justification for murdering doctors who provide abortion care. We hope this verdict will be a deterrent to those who may be considering following in Roeder's footsteps, and send a clear signal that violence against abortion providers will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
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Wednesday's Words from Women
Over one-third of women of reproductive age have an abortion by the age of 45. However, women who have chosen abortion are often absent from the public debate. In order to break the silence surrounding abortion, we will be featuring real stories from real women each Wednesday on our blog. If you would like to share your story with us or have it published on our blog, go to http://www.prochoice.org/pregnant/hotline/share.html.Right now is just not a good time to have another baby. I’m the only one working in a household of five. To bring another person into my household would be unfair to the unborn child and to others in the house. I am pro-choice because I think I should be able to decide what is right for me and my family--not people who don’t know me or my situation or who are going to judge me for my actions. All circumstances are different and accidents happen to women and families. I can’t tell you how much the Hotline and clinic are helping me today. I appreciate it so much--thank you to everyone that makes it possible.
--Submitted by Carol* through a member clinic.
*Name has been changed to protect patient privacyLabels: patient stories, wednesday's words from women
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National Abortion Federation and ACLU Ask Court To Preclude Voluntary Manslaughter Charge In Trial Of Dr. Tiller’s Murderer
Today we issued this statement announcing a friend-of-the-court brief filed by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of the National Abortion Federation: The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) today filed a friend-of-the-court brief on behalf of the National Abortion Federation, the ACLU, and the ACLU of Kansas in the trial of Scott Roeder, the alleged murderer of Dr. George Tiller, asking the court to preclude Roeder from arguing his anti-abortion beliefs in support of a lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter rather than first degree murder. “In a civilized society we cannot allow extremists to commit murder to advance their own religious or political beliefs,” said Vicki Saporta, President of the National Abortion Federation. “Scott Roeder should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” “Allowing the defense to argue that Scott Roeder’s anti-abortion beliefs in any way lessen his accountability in Dr. Tiller’s murder sends an ominous signal to all vigilantes,” said Alexa Kolbi-Molinas, staff attorney with the ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project. “We should all be concerned; having sincere political beliefs does not mean someone should be able to get away with murder.” Scott Roeder has been charged with first degree murder in the shooting death of Dr. George Tiller on May 31, 2009, while Dr. Tiller was attending services at his local church. Earlier this month, in pre-trial hearings, Sedgwick County District Judge Warren Wilbert ruled that he would not allow Roeder to use a justifiable homicide defense, but left open the possibility that the defense could put on evidence that would support the lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter. This ruling might permit Roeder to argue that he was motivated by anti-abortion beliefs and therefore should be held less accountable. “This is a dangerous misinterpretation of the law,” said Doug Bonney, Chief Counsel & Legal Director, ACLU of Kansas & Western Missouri. “No matter what our political or moral beliefs, we are not entitled to kill those who disagree with us. We would not allow someone who murders a general to get a lesser sentence because the murder was motivated by a belief that war is unjustifiable.” Doctors who provide abortion care deserve the full protection of the law. They devote their lives to ensuring that women can obtain the health care they need. It is important that we support a woman’s ability to make this most private, personal decision, and it is critical that we protect the medical professionals who care for them. If convicted of first degree murder, Roeder could be facing a life sentence; if convicted of voluntary manslaughter, he could receive less than 10 years for Dr. Tiller’s murder. Lawyers on today’s brief include Kolbi-Molinas and Talcott Camp of the ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project and Bonney of the ACLU of Kansas & Western Missouri. The ACLU brief is available at http://www.aclu.org/reproductive-freedom/state-kansas-v-roeder-aclu-amicus-brief
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Wednesday's Words from Women
Over one-third of women of reproductive age have an abortion by the age of 45. However, women who have chosen abortion are often absent from the public debate. In order to break the silence surrounding abortion, we will be featuring real stories from real women each Wednesday on our blog. If you would like to share your story with us or have it published on our blog, go to http://www.prochoice.org/pregnant/hotline/share.html.I am a full-time student carrying a 3.7 GPA, and the proud mother to a two-year-old, mildly autistic, special needs child with a severe seizure disorder. Having another child at this hectic and sometimes frightening stage in my life would do both children an injustice. I can’t tell the relief I felt following my abortion, when all was said and done and I was still healthy, and my beautiful son still happy. The staff at the clinic was respectful and amazingly helpful, and at no point did I feel pressured to do something that I didn’t want to do.
--submitted by Sandra* through a member clinicMy daughter suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a violent rape. She will never be the same innocent girl she was. Her decision to have an abortion has not been an easy one. As my support has always been there, no one understands how hard, how much it hurts, or the confusion, unless you have walked in those shoes. The protesters that walk outside the building, with their shouts and their signs, have no clue about my daughter’s story. The clinic helped my daughter “walk where no woman wants to walk.” It was not planned and it was not her fault. Thank you to the Hotline for helping my daughter. --submitted by Loretta,* on behalf of her daughter Alexandra,* through a member clinic
*Names have been changed to protect patient privacyLabels: patient stories, wednesday's words from women
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This is very touching, it makes the perspective on abortion more clear when you hear stories of why women have an abortion. How horribly sad what this womans daughter has been through. I will never forgive a man who rapes a woman, ever!
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Wednesday's Words from Women
Over one-third of women of reproductive age have an abortion by the age of 45. However, women who have chosen abortion are often absent from the public debate. In order to break the silence surrounding abortion, we will be featuring real stories from real women each Wednesday on our blog. If you would like to share your story with us or have it published on our blog, go to http://www.prochoice.org/pregnant/hotline/share.html.Due to my situation, the clinic and the Hotline have been my life savers. I am a single mother of three, and at the time, I found myself in a very bad predicament. I am basically homeless and have no income. With the help of the clinic and Hotline, I am able to focus on getting my life back on track and providing for the children I already have. --submitted by Lynn* through a member clinicMy first semester in college, I was raped. A couple of weeks later, I took a pregnancy test and found out that the person who raped me had gotten me pregnant. I am pro-choice because if a girl ever has to go through something like that, they need the choice. If the choice is not out there, women will find other, less safe ways not to have a child.
--submitted by Gail* through a member clinic*Names have been changed to protect patient privacyLabels: patient stories, wednesday's words from women
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Wednesday's Words from Women
Over one-third of women of reproductive age have an abortion by the age of 45. However, women who have chosen abortion are often absent from the public debate. In order to break the silence surrounding abortion, we will be featuring real stories from real women each Wednesday on our blog. If you would like to share your story with us or have it published on our blog, go to http://www.prochoice.org/pregnant/hotline/share.html.The Hotline and the clinic helped me a great deal during this difficult time in my life. I am a single mom trying to move forward in my life. Due to financial hardships and no help from my child’s father, the light of success seems too dim to see. I thank the people at both the clinic and the Hotline for giving me and my son a chance for a clean slate. --submitted by Diana* through a member clinicI grew up in an anti-choice household, but ever since I was able to truly think through the issue, have been pro-choice. But like many beliefs, for most of my life it went untested. Then, last spring, I became pregnant and came face-to-face with my belief that women have the right to their own body, including the right to an abortion. I was 29, had a master's degree, was employed full-time and had a supportive network of friends and family. By some standards I had everything necessary to adequately take care of a child. But I wasn't ready. I had just ended an unhealthy relationship; I didn't want to be pregnant. I didn't want to have a child. It was and always will be my body. I made a choice that was best for me. My body, my choice, and thankfully still my legal right.
--submitted by Susan* through our website
*Names have been changed to protect patient privacyLabels: patient stories, wednesday's words from women
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NAF Member Shares Stories of Providers, Patients in New Book
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Wednesday's Words from Women
Over one-third of women of reproductive age have an abortion by the age of 45. However, women who have chosen abortion are often absent from the public debate. In order to break the silence surrounding abortion, we will be featuring real stories from real women each Wednesday on our blog. If you would like to share your story with us or have it published on our blog, go to http://www.prochoice.org/pregnant/hotline/share.html.I just want to start by saying, “Thank you.” If it wasn’t for the Hotline’s help, this would have never happened. I am 19 years old and I have two kids, a little girl that is two years old and a little boy that’s five months old. As you can see, I have my hands full at all times, and I can barely afford the two that I have now. It would have been really hard to have another. It hurts to do it, but I know it’s the best thing for my family. So thank you a lot for your help. It would have been really hard for me. I appreciate what the Hotline is doing for women like me, and I hope that it can help even more women.
--submitted by Jane* through a member clinic I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006 at the age of 28. I am now 32 years of age, pregnant, and have a tumor growing in my uterus, and the doctors are concerned that it is cancerous. I have chosen to make this decision based on my health and the two boys that are already here that need me – alive! I have already given a baby up for adoption, so I know how that feels too. It wasn’t easy and neither is this decision. I did what’s best for my health and for my boys. -submitted by Justine* through a member clinic*Names have been changed to protect patient privacyLabels: patient stories, wednesday's words from women
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Wednesday's Words from Women
Over one-third of women of reproductive age have an abortion by the age of 45. However, women who have chosen abortion are often absent from the public debate. In order to break the silence surrounding abortion, we will be featuring real stories from real women each Wednesday on our blog. If you would like to share your story with us or have it published on our blog, go to http://www.prochoice.org/pregnant/hotline/share.html.I don’t know where to begin or start. This is a blessing to me as a single mother of two that was just laid off of work with no income at the time. I am so happy that the Hotline wants to help women. Thank you oh so much for the help and support! --submitted by Kate* through a member clinicWhen I was 22 years old, I was in an abusive relationship and already had a two-year-old daughter. I was working two jobs just to make ends meet without help from my parents, when I found out I was pregnant again. I had taken precautions and was on the birth control pill at the time. When I went to my boyfriend and told him, his reaction was not a positive one. His family was very anti-choice and knew I could not go to them for help. My mother and grandparents gave me the money to terminate my pregnancy; I knew if I did not, I was never going to be able to get out of the current relationship that I was in. After that, I was able to return to college, where I finished my nursing degree. I became a nurse, went to work at the same clinic that had helped me, and was able to help many other women in my same situation.
--submitted by Melissa* through our website*Names have been changed to protect patient privacyLabels: patient stories, wednesday's words from women
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Kansas Judge Rejects Change of Venue and “Necessity Defense” in Scott Roeder Trial
Statement of Vicki Saporta, President and CEO of the National Abortion Federation (NAF) in response to the pre-trial hearing for Scott Roeder: Today Judge Warren Wilbert denied the requests of Scott Roeder’s defense team to move the trial venue out of Sedgwick County, Kansas, as well as to introduce the so-called “necessity defense” as justification for the cold-blooded murder of Dr. George Tiller. Although an extreme wing of the anti-abortion movement believes that it is justifiable to use deadly force to stop abortion, their attempts to use such a defense in court have been repeatedly rejected. Attempts by convicted murderers Paul Hill and James Kopp were both found to not meet the legal standards of justifiable homicide laws and were not permitted during their trials. There is no justification for murdering doctors who provide abortion care. Scott Roeder has confessed to the murder, and he should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
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President Obama Signs Budget, Which Lifts DC Abortion Ban
Today, Vicki Saporta, President and CEO of the National Abortion Federation (NAF), commended President Obama and Congress for lifting a longstanding ban that prohibits DC from using its locally raised revenue to help low-income women obtain the abortion care they need. “We are pleased that Congress and the President have removed this discriminatory policy, which has for far too long interfered with DC women’s ability to access safe, legal abortion care,” said Saporta. “This prohibition also interfered with the rights of DC residents and has effectively prevented the DC government from assessing and meeting the needs of its community.” Since 1977, the Hyde Amendment has prohibited the use of federal Medicaid funds to pay for medically necessary abortion care for most low-income women, except in very limited circumstances. Although states may use non-federal funds to pay for abortion care, since 1988 Congress has restricted DC from using its own locally raised funds to provide abortion care to low-income women. DC now has the ability to choose how to direct its local Medicaid funds. President Obama signed the FY 2010 Budget, which lifted the ban on the District’s use of locally raised funds for abortion care. This is a major step forward for women in our nation’s capitol. Labels: Medicaid, Obama Administration, women
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Wednesday's Words from Women
Over one-third of women of reproductive age have an abortion by the age of 45. However, women who have chosen abortion are often absent from the public debate. In order to break the silence surrounding abortion, we will be featuring real stories from real women each Wednesday on our blog. If you would like to share your story with us or have it published on our blog, go to http://www.prochoice.org/pregnant/hotline/share.html.I’m 25 years old and the single mom to a six-year-old boy. My son and I live in low-income housing and I’m trying my best to finish college. Having a child at this point in my life would financially and psychologically impair me. Having the option and the right to make my own life choices, which not only affect me but my son as well, saves me from making desperate and/or drastic and dangerous decisions. --submitted by Vivian* through a member clinicI want to thank the clinic and Hotline, not only for giving women a second chance, but for understanding different circumstances. I was practicing safe sex when I got pregnant; even though I was being responsible, accidents do happen. I appreciate all of you so much from the bottom of my heart. --submitted by Mary* through a member clinic*Names have been changed to protect patient privacyLabels: patient stories, wednesday's words from women
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NAF Patients in the News
Last night, the Senate defeated the Nelson-Hatch Amendment, which would have imposed the same restrictions to insurance coverage for abortion as the Stupak-Pitts Amendment passed by the House. Yesterday, Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) cited some of our patient's stories during debate on the Senate floor. Today, Women’s eNews profiled one of the patients we brought forward to lobby against the Stupak-Pitts and Nelson-Hatch Amendments: One Woman Mobilized
One person who was mobilized by the Dec. 2 protest is Dana Weinstein.
In an exclusive interview with Women's eNews, Weinstein said that until recently she'd felt uncomfortable even uttering the word "abortion."
But then it happened to her.
In the early part of this summer, Weinstein was still a happily pregnant 38-year-old watching TV at her home in Maryland. A reporter interviewed a physician in Boulder, Colo., named Warren Hern. After the murder of Dr. George Tiller earlier this year, Hern is one of the country's last doctors who still provides late-term abortions.
"I remember lying in bed thinking, how could anybody terminate later term?"
Weinstein said.
But then, a few weeks later in late June, at 28 weeks, a routine sonogram showed an abnormality in her fetus's brain. A subsequent MRI showed that the fetus had two life-threatening conditions. If it survived birth, it would likely require immediate resuscitation and a life of feeding tubes.
After consulting more doctors, Weinstein and her husband wound up in Hern's clinic in Colorado.
Now, five months later, Weinstein is still fighting with her insurance company, hoping to be reimbursed for some of $17,500 it cost for the late-term abortion.
"I was fortunate to be able to pull the money together," Weinstein said, adding that the experience has spurred her to speak out on behalf of other, less fortunate women.
Her first move: vocally opposing the Stupak-Pitts amendment. In recent days Weinstein has shared her story with members of the National Abortion Federation, the staff of Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., and Women's eNews.
>Read the full article.>Share your abortion experience.Labels: anomaly, health care reform, patient stories
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This is so necessary! Way to go. This stigma needs to be crushed.
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Wednesday's Words from Women
Over one-third of women of reproductive age have an abortion by the age of 45. However, women who have chosen abortion are often absent from the public debate. In order to break the silence surrounding abortion, we will be featuring real stories from real women each Wednesday on our blog. If you would like to share your story with us or have it published on our blog, go to http://www.prochoice.org/pregnant/hotline/share.html.In the 17th week of a much wanted pregnancy, my baby was diagnosed via ultrasound with renal agenesis, a condition in which the kidneys, bladder and renal system fail to form, and which is incompatible with life. I was told that if I did not terminate the pregnancy, the baby would either be stillborn or, if he survived to term, he would be born and then very shortly thereafter die of asphyxiation (a functioning renal system is necessary for fetal lung development). I chose to terminate the pregnancy at 18 weeks via induced labor and delivery (which I was advised was a safe way to terminate a second trimester pregnancy and which would allow a full autopsy on the fetus to determine if there were any genetic problems). I was in the hospital for two days, during which time labor was induced and I delivered my baby. My health insurance covered the entire procedure. Had I not been insured, I would have incurred thousands of dollars in hospital-related bills. Honestly, I cannot imagine a health care system that would not pay for therapeutic abortions. Going through a therapeutic abortion is already emotionally wrenching and it would be a terribly cruel system that forces a woman to choose between carrying a child that will either certainly die or suffer terribly, versus being faced with thousands of dollars in medical bills that her family may be ill-equipped to pay. That is certainly is not caring for the health of myself and my family. -submitted by Madison* through our website*Names have been changed to protect patient privacyLabels: anomaly, health care reform, patient stories, wednesday's words from women
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Letter to the Editor in New York Times
Today’s New York Times published my letter concerning restrictions like the Stupak Amendment in health care reform: To the Editor: Re “ False Alarm on Abortion,” by Phillip B. Levine (Op-Ed, Nov. 25): Mr. Levine dismisses talk about the potential impact of the Stupak amendment as an exaggeration of what would change for women. Eighty-seven percent of employer-based health plans currently provide coverage for abortion care. If the Stupak amendment or equally restrictive language were included in the final version of the health care reform bill, millions of women could risk losing their coverage. No woman plans to have an abortion. The individual circumstances for this choice are as varied as the women themselves; fetal anomalies, health risks and spousal abuse do not discriminate based on age, income or insurance status. Likewise, Mr. Levine’s contention that nothing would change for uninsured women or women covered by Medicaid does little to advance his argument. Restrictions on public funding for abortion are one of the biggest barriers to women seeking abortion care. Just because these restrictions are already in place does not mean that further limitations should be accepted. Meaningful reform of health care cannot take place by sacrificing the well-being of half of the citizens of this country. Labels: health care reform, insurance, women
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Women Speak out Against Stupak Amendment
Last week, NAF brought a group of patients to Capitol Hill to share their abortion experiences with legislators as part of a DC lobby day to oppose the Stupak Amendment. Each of these women had a different experience with insurance coverage for their abortion care, and they represent the women who could be affected by restrictions like the Stupak Amendment and the Nelson-Hatch Amendment, which was introduced in the Senate today. NAF member and author, Professor Carole Joffe joined us last week in DC and spoke with some of the patients we brought forward. Today, she blogged about her experience: “….the most moving and significant part of the day was my conversation with three women who had later abortions….In spite of the different outcomes experienced by Mary, Christie and Dana, all three of these women have taken the step of going public with their stories because of their profound belief that no woman or her partner should be fighting bureaucracies or facing possible bankruptcy at the saddest moment in their lives.” > Read Joffe's complete post.> Share your abortion experience.Labels: health care reform, insurance, women
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Illinois Parental Notification Law Halted for 2009
An Illinois circuit court judge has upheld a restraining order preventing enforcement of a parental notification law. The law, which was originally scheduled to go into effect on November 2, would require physicians to notify a parent or guardian before a minor obtains abortion care. The restraining order will be in effect through the end of the year, as the judge waits for briefs from both sides before making a final determination about the law. >Learn more about parental involvement laws.Labels: Illinois, minors, parental notification
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Wednesday's Words from Women
Over one-third of women of reproductive age have an abortion by the age of 45. However, women who have chosen abortion are often absent from the public debate. In order to break the silence surrounding abortion, we will be featuring real stories from real women each Wednesday on our blog. If you would like to share your story with us or have it published on our blog, go to http://www.prochoice.org/pregnant/hotline/share.html.
I am pro-choice because being a feminist is one of the most fundamental pieces of who I am. I’m committed to fighting for policies that expand the possibilities of women’s choice. The Hotline has helped me to have my own choice, and for this I am very grateful. The clinic was the only place I contacted (and I contacted many!) where I found quality and care and I felt respected. Thank you. Both the Hotline and the clinic have made a huge difference. --submitted by Jordan* through a member clinicI have always been pro-choice, and I always kept myself informed as to what my options were when it came to reproductive health care. I never thought I would have to use the information on abortion until I found out I was pregnant. I am a 22-year-old college student who lives at home with her parents. I work as a waitress and my boyfriend works at a grocery store and plans to go to graduate school. There is no way we could have supported a child. From the time I found out I was pregnant to the time of the abortion, I threw up two to three times a day, every day. I hid my sickness from my parents and had to put on a happy face. It was so hard. I became depressed and frustrated because not only was I tired from being pregnant; I was also very weak from not being able to eat. If my parents ever knew I had an abortion, they would kick me out of the house and disown me. They told me this when I was a teenager. My boyfriend and I had only been going out for three months when we discovered we were pregnant. We both discussed our options and came to a conclusion quickly. Throughout the whole medical abortion, he was there every step of the way. We had to get a hotel room in order for me to have my medical abortion. With how sick and weak I was, there was no way I could have covered that up at my house or at his. I am so grateful to him. It scares me to think that there are 70-year-old men over in Washington DC who I have never met before, and probably never will, that could have had the chance to decide my life's path, and not me. No complete stranger should be able to take away my education and the life I dream of. I did it for my future. -- I did it because I was concerned that I would not be able to raise the child in the right way and give it everything it needed, and because as supportive as my boyfriend was, I did not know him well enough to ensure that we would be together forever. There are days where I still sometimes feel sad, because this was not an easy decision. But in my heart I know I did the right thing. --submitted by Alexa* through our website*Names have been changed to protect patient privacyLabels: patient stories, wednesday's words from women
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Thank you for being brave enough to share your story. I too am in the same position. Although My boyfriend and I have been together since I was 16, at 21 I am unable to support a child financially and emotionally. I find myself in moments of pure sadness, but I know in my heart I am doing the right thing, and I know that I am, and always will be a good person who had to make a really rough choice. This is not an easy decision, and its something nobody is ever happy about doing. Fortunantly I have a family who is behind me every step of the way, and that has made it a little bit easier. I found out I was pregnant only a few weeks ago. It came as a shock because I was still having a period, and my only indication was that I felt miserable,weak,felt full all the time, and was terribly nausious. 6 days after my discovery I went to planned parenthood, where I was there to recieve the medication abortion, it was there I was told I was pregnant with twins and I was 6 weeks along...it was the most devastating news in the world at that moment. They told me that one of the fetus' did not look as though it was going to take and would probubly not develope, but if I chose to continue with this pregnancy I would need to see a high risk specialist. That day I was denied the pill, and sent home to think it through for another week. Here I am typing right now awaiting wednesday....the date of my new apt. where I have chosen to undergo the medical procedure. This has been very trying time for me and my boyfried, and I often feel very alone. I just know that right now I need to complete college and become stable before i can offer a child a good life, and right now is not that time. I came across this site looking for comfort, and trying to feel less alone. Thank you for sharing your story. You don't know how much it has meant to me. Its good to know that there are other young women who can share a similar story.
I hate that I didn't see your comment sooner & that you are/were feeling so alone. While no one can make this decision for you, for what it's worth, I think you are doing the right thing. I made a similar decision many years ago, when I was about 2 years older than you. I'm 42 now, happily married with a son in his 1st year of college doing great. I can't say I've never been sad over my decision, but I don't regret it & I don't dwell on it. I did what was best for everyone involved. I hope you will have the same attitude/feelings. It gets easier. The first few weeks, there's the physical, emotional, & hormonal stuff to deal with, but that passes! Best of luck to you.
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