Abortion
What about the Future?

My Story

A very controversial subject - one that will evoke strong responses in so many people; one that will bring seemingly “normal” people into a rage - either pro or con.  But, until you walk a mile in the other sides shoes, do NOT condemn them for their belief’s.

Abortion has been, is now, and always will be an issue that tears people in two. While I consider myself “pro choice” and believe that it is the woman’s right to decide on abortion, I do NOT believe that abortion should be used as a form of birth control. While most people feel strongly - either pro or con, the one important; the most important factor that is often forgotten during arguments is the children. Unfortunately, these children are the ones who are the victims of adults narrow-minded, moralistic attitudes where essential choices and freedoms are not to be permitted. I am not saying that the pro choice people are always correct in their protests, nor am I saying that all anti-abortion, pro life protesters are unfeeling monsters; what I am questioning is the fact that by saying they hold life in high esteem and the unborn have rights, then why have they not concentrated on the children who are fighting for their very existence at this time? If life is so precious and sacred to pro lifers, then why do they have their own children lie down on the road in front of cars which are being driven to abortion clinics? Is this not the biggest form of hypocrisy imaginable? Is this the belief that life is precious? With so little regard for the life of their own children, how is it possible pro lifers believe in the life of the unborn?

One of the most heart wrenching sights to witness is a photograph of an unwanted or abused child reaching out for the warmth and love of someone, anyone. Yet so many of the people who are so active in the cause of outlawing abortion do nothing but hold a sign and protest in front of abortion clinics. These controversial “pro lifers” - who take things to the extreme - think only of the potential life of an unborn child; their thoughts are not projected far enough into the future. The view abortion as murder, and child abuse as appalling. Ask them to adopt an unwanted child found in the orphanage, and they will insist that they only want their “flesh and blood”. Tell these same protesters to volunteer in a shelter for abused children and they will insist that they do not have the time - yet they do have time enough to protest in front of abortion clinics. Ask the “pro lifer’s” to promote safe sex and sexual education in our schools and most will insist that teaching sex education encourages sexual activity - yet all they do is bitch and whine that it should be taught at home! Well.. IS IT? Obviously not, when you look at the rates of teen pregnancies in the U.S.A.!

I can empathize with the woman who has been raped, because it happened to me. I remember the feelings of helplessness and pain, both physically and emotionally. Fortunately, I have the ability to accept the bad things in life and look ahead, a “get over it or deal with it” type attitude. I was not pregnant, but what if I had been? Where would these abortion protesters be if I went to the clinic for an abortion? Would they have been willing to care for that child of a rape? NO! Instead they would be protesting abortion and calling me a murderer without any regard for what I had been through.

In 1989, after two major surgeries for cancer, I was almost homeless. The feelings that accompany you when you have no place to live are numerous. I remember walking wherever food was to be found, and knocking on doors of different agencies begging for help - only to be turned away, because, as the Welfare agent said to me that day so long ago “if you were a minority race, and had more than one child - we would help you immediately!” I received a mere $77.00 in food stamps - and that was it. I felt so ashamed and depressed! It was especially difficult when you have a two-year old child with you. My son and I had shelter, but we had neither food nor the electricity to even refrigerate or cook the food. My question to the abortion protesters is: “Where were you when I was struggling to care for myself and my son? We were in need, but where were you?” I didn’t see them coming to my door offering food or help. Instead they were holding signs and protesting abortion. Yet just ask them to volunteer in a shelter or give money to a charity and they will tell you “we can’t afford it or we don’t have the time.”

Does the end result - the insecure child, the pregnant rape victim, and the homeless child - justify the means; in this case the outlawing of abortion? Do children who will grow up lacking in love and self-esteem have a right to be born into a society who will perceive them as unworthy? Don’t we as the society who outlaws abortion have the obligation, the responsibility, and the human decency to provide for these children without whining? Isn’t it time we stopped saying these children are not our problem or our responsibility? Because, in my opinion, the child - any child - who grows up feeling insecure or unloved is our responsibility. It is our responsibility, our obligation to justify the end result and provide for these children that did not ask to be born.

Who gave YOU the “right” to control MY body? Absolutely NO one!

We all need to be aware of the personal circumstances of others before we can attempt to pass our personal opinions and beliefs on them. We all need to face the fact that reasons do exist when abortion should be an option. We all need to take a look at the terrible way society is now and remedy these problems; face up and take responsibility for what we have created and not burden the shoulders of our future generations; because sooner or later there won’t be anything to burden anyone with. If you believe in God and the afterlife, the perhaps what everyone needs to remember, listen to, and maybe learn from, are the words spoken to me by a priest: