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.
Life doesn’t always take you down the roads you choose but when you get to those tough spots you have to make the right decisions. Organizations like NAF help women who are struggling. Having a choice about your life and your body should be a basic human right. There are few places where women like me can go without feeling degraded for having a choice. The counseling and education options and financial assistance NAF provides speak volumes.
–Submitted by Jael through a member clinic
Since I was in elementary school, I wanted to go to law school. Just a week after being accepted into my top choice school I noticed something weird with my body. I was on birth control for three months and had recently stopped it, so I blamed the changes on this. Finally after I had gained about 10 pounds I went to the doctor only to find that my greatest fear was confirmed–I was pregnant. As a full-time student, there was no way that this was the right time for me to have a child! Without a second thought, I chose my parents, friends, career, and future over something that was not meant for my life right now. NAF has helped me focus on building a better future and when I’m ready, I can provide a solid foundation for my future family.
–Submitted by A’Mariana through a member clinic