Louise, thank you for your post. I am outraged at the incursions into our health and our bodies by old men. So sick of most of them. I especially enjoyed the young woman who told her story of 2 abortions on utube, and the revelations of her sad and common sexual history at the hands of boys and men. Where does it end?
Wasn't that performance amazing??!!! It just hit me with a gut punch. And I'll admit, I was starting to get a little judgmental about getting two abortions in six months, before I heard all the backstory. It just goes to show how insidious the takeover of the narrative has been in this country about abortion that even someone like me who is pro-choice sometimes defaults to judgment. It was a very meaningful experience for me to see that exposed in the course of her story. Thanks so much for reading and commenting, Judith!
Thank you for your thoughtful post. Having known since I was 13 that I did not want to raise children, I have been an ardent supporter of abortion rights. Until recently I though of abortion primarily as a "backup" means of birth control and didn't understand how many medically necessary procedures would be considered abortions, if/when Roe was overturned (which was I didn't think was possible until 5 years ago). A few years ago, a co-worker that very much wanted to have a second child was pregnant. At about twelve weeks, her doctor determined that the fetus was no longer growing (not sure if dead is the right word), but her body failed to expel it. So she had to take medication to cause a miscarriage. I can only imagine how heart breaking that was for her. It is my understanding that today, that live saving process may be considered an illegal abortion in some states (or, at least the laws are vague enough that doctors are not sure how to proceed).
Thanks so much for your comment. Yes, I was also surprised at how many stories I’ve heard of wanted pregnancies that had to be aborted for medical reasons. It’s maddening that reproductive care isn’t treated like any other healthcare decision, e.g. it should be between the affected person and their doctor.
Thanks for sharing your reflections on the abortion "issue". I had 2 abortions in my early-mid 20's and always felt so guilty about it, like it was somehow the result of a deficiency on my part. Then, when I hit my 4th and 5th decades my guilt was displaced by overwhelming grief for many years. But never have I felt that I should not have had the right to make the choices I made.
I really enjoy reading your newsletter. Keep 'em coming!- Tashi Sertso (Mercury Arts)
Bravo Louise. Powerful writing on your struggle with the abortion term. I attended a Forum that included Faith Leaders for Reproductive Justice. One of the greatest pearls I took away from the forum were from the words of Rabbi Sofer: "No woman is required to build the world at the destruction of herself." Grateful for your eloquence to openly and honestly navigate through you personal reproductive justice journey. What a gift!
Thanks so much for your comment, Teresa, and for being the first brave soul to do it in public on the post! I’ve had a higher-than-normal number of people respond to me directly with comments -- all positive -- than commenting publicly, which I think says something.
Louise, thank you for your post. I am outraged at the incursions into our health and our bodies by old men. So sick of most of them. I especially enjoyed the young woman who told her story of 2 abortions on utube, and the revelations of her sad and common sexual history at the hands of boys and men. Where does it end?
Wasn't that performance amazing??!!! It just hit me with a gut punch. And I'll admit, I was starting to get a little judgmental about getting two abortions in six months, before I heard all the backstory. It just goes to show how insidious the takeover of the narrative has been in this country about abortion that even someone like me who is pro-choice sometimes defaults to judgment. It was a very meaningful experience for me to see that exposed in the course of her story. Thanks so much for reading and commenting, Judith!
Thank you for your thoughtful post. Having known since I was 13 that I did not want to raise children, I have been an ardent supporter of abortion rights. Until recently I though of abortion primarily as a "backup" means of birth control and didn't understand how many medically necessary procedures would be considered abortions, if/when Roe was overturned (which was I didn't think was possible until 5 years ago). A few years ago, a co-worker that very much wanted to have a second child was pregnant. At about twelve weeks, her doctor determined that the fetus was no longer growing (not sure if dead is the right word), but her body failed to expel it. So she had to take medication to cause a miscarriage. I can only imagine how heart breaking that was for her. It is my understanding that today, that live saving process may be considered an illegal abortion in some states (or, at least the laws are vague enough that doctors are not sure how to proceed).
Thanks so much for your comment. Yes, I was also surprised at how many stories I’ve heard of wanted pregnancies that had to be aborted for medical reasons. It’s maddening that reproductive care isn’t treated like any other healthcare decision, e.g. it should be between the affected person and their doctor.
Hi Louise-
Thanks for sharing your reflections on the abortion "issue". I had 2 abortions in my early-mid 20's and always felt so guilty about it, like it was somehow the result of a deficiency on my part. Then, when I hit my 4th and 5th decades my guilt was displaced by overwhelming grief for many years. But never have I felt that I should not have had the right to make the choices I made.
I really enjoy reading your newsletter. Keep 'em coming!- Tashi Sertso (Mercury Arts)
Thanks so much for your story and encouragement, Tashi :-) I appreciate you reading and commenting!
Bravo Louise. Powerful writing on your struggle with the abortion term. I attended a Forum that included Faith Leaders for Reproductive Justice. One of the greatest pearls I took away from the forum were from the words of Rabbi Sofer: "No woman is required to build the world at the destruction of herself." Grateful for your eloquence to openly and honestly navigate through you personal reproductive justice journey. What a gift!
Thanks so much for your comment, Teresa, and for being the first brave soul to do it in public on the post! I’ve had a higher-than-normal number of people respond to me directly with comments -- all positive -- than commenting publicly, which I think says something.