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 young woman of 23. I’ve been married for three years and have two beautiful daughters under five years old. My family is my whole life, and I really do not know what I would do without them. I found out I was pregnant a short time ago and immediately knew we had a problem. My husband had just lost his job and we were slowly running out of money. We had just decided that we would have to move out of our home and in with my mother-in-law and brother-in-law. We now have six people living in a three bedroom apartment, still struggling with some government help, but making it work the best we can. My husband and I feel this is not the time to bring a new life into the world. We feel the hardship mentally and financially would only hurt our family. Without your help, we would not have been able to make the best possible decision for our family. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
--submitted by Betty* through a member clinic
My husband was arrested for domestic violence about three weeks ago. This is the first time in 12 years of being with him that I am finally free. I found out I was pregnant after he was arrested and I was so disappointed. He never let me take birth control, nor would he use any protection. We have two girls, and he felt I owed him a son. If I wanted to go on something, he’d accuse me of cheating. There is a no contact order for one year from his case, but I believe he’d try to violate that if he knew I was pregnant. This procedure will finally help me put an end to this extremely painful chapter in my life. With your help, I’m finally able to end the hurt. I’m very grateful. I get my life back.
--submitted by Andrea* through a member clinic
*Names have been changed to protect patient privacy
2 comments:
Best of luck to you Andrea. Thank you for sharing your story. I am happy to hear that you will now be able to move into a happier chapter in your life! Be strong and know that your story inspires others to keep going.
Andrea,
You're a very brave woman & a good mother to have left such a terrible situation. You did what you had to do to save your lives & that's nothing to be ashamed of!!! Unfortunately, your (ex?)husband would have probably have began to abuse your children, too. If not physically, than certainly emotionally & mentally. Plus, had you stayed, they would have continued to learn that behavior & ended up in similar relationships & marriages. I went through 6 weeks of training to volunteer at a Spouse Abuse shelter. I answered the hotline, helped with new incoming women & their children assigning beds, clothes & toiletries if needed & did some counseling. So, I'm talking from experience when I say, no matter what he promises, no matter how charming he is, don't go back! And be very careful as far as your personal safety (make sure he isn't following/stalking you, etc.). Unfortunately, twice, I've seen men kill the women who left. Because "if they couldn't have them, no one else was going to". I wish you & your kids all the best in your new life, just be careful & don't hesitate to call the police if he breaks that order!! Happy Holidays!
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