Link: An Imperfect Abortion Story

[sonia]

This is not my story, but it clangs inside me with resonance.

An Imperfect Abortion Story by Carrie Adkins on Nursing Clio, March 18, 2020.

Part of me wants to write this story in a way that feels kinder to Mom. She loved me, and in many ways, she had a hard life; she wasn’t some monster who wanted me to suffer. But the ugly, unavoidable truth is that I wasn’t 100% sure whose “side” she would be on if she found out, whose fault she would think the whole thing was.

Via Abortion is a Human Right by Nursing Clio which has a lot of other very useful links.

Comments

[silveradept]

That is a harrowing abortion story. And also reminds me of the time where I had believed that sharing and being more open about abortions and who has had them and the reasons for them would help others be empathetic and compassionate, rather than redouble their efforts to ensure that harrowing abortion stories would be the only ones available.

[sonia]

Yeah... Sharing abortion stories normalizes them and reduces isolation and shame for the many people who have had abortions. I'm guessing it does convince someone here and there to stop and examine their assumptions. But since the abortion "debate" is about power & control rather than abortions, the stories aren't going to convince anyone who wants more power and control.

[minoanmiss]

Well and truly said.

[cynthia1960]

you nailed it!