When I was 21, I went to college in order to improve my and my family’s lives. I had survived an emotionally abusive relationship, and was living at home with my parents and my child. During the last year of my four-year-degree program in engineering, I discovered that I was pregnant again. I knew that I had no other choice but to terminate the pregnancy. I had spent so long struggling to make a better life for my family and I wasn’t ready to give that all up. If I had continued with my pregnancy, I would not have finished my last year of college. I went through with the abortion and am okay with my decision, and know that there will be another time and place for me to have more children.
–Submitted by Whitley* through our website
If it weren’t for the assistance from NAF I wouldn’t have been able to go through with my procedure, and for that I am thankful. Many people have a negative opinion of abortion and simply judge people for even thinking about having an abortion. I am not in a position to care for a child at this time in my life. When I came to the clinic the staff was so helpful and put my mind at ease. Everyone was beyond friendly and made me feel like they supported my decision. When you are making a huge decision like this, it is comforting to know that no one is judging you, but instead people are willing to assist you. I cannot express my appreciation for NAF and its member clinic in Ohio for making this process much easier than I expected.
–Submitted by Joel* through a member clinic
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 feature 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.