I have been watching the debate around abortion in the latest rounds of healthcare reform. On TV I saw an anti-choice "protest" with women wearing large signs that said "I regret my abortion." I feel deeply compelled to say publicly to everyone:
I do NOT regret my abortion.
It saved my life. If I had not had access and affordability (including insurance coverage) I may have died if I had not ended the pregnancy as quickly as I did. Sometimes I reflect and let that sink in again. I would likely have died in 1998 had I not been able to have an abortion.
I know there must be millions of women who do NOT regret their abortions, for whatever reason. And I think these women telling their stories would be powerful.
The shameful shroud of abortion must be lifted. Women need choice. Women need access to legal, safe and affordable abortions. There is no shame in needing an abortion, whatever the reason.
If you agree, tell your story to me in an email. Not a political manifesto, just your story and what it meant that you were able to have that abortion. Use your name if you can. Tell your story anonymously if you can't. Let us know how old you were, your profession or whatever information you can. Any way you tell it, let's just start this conversation publicly. People need to hear these stories. Women's lives depend on it.
Kim Guster
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I hope that many, many, many women--the silent majority--share their stories and feel emboldened to speak up.
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