i am 51 years old, a minister, married with 3 stepchildren, and have had two abortions: one at the age of 18 and the other at 21.

both pregnancies were the result of rape. in both instances i was in such denial about what had happened and about the potential for pregnancy that i did not seek medical attention or counsel until it was almost too late to make a decision about what was going to be happening to my body and to my life.

i chose abortion over suicide. twice.

those were the most difficult decisions i’ve ever made. i commemorate them each year with great sadness. but, also, with tremendous gratitude for having had the freedom to make those decisions for myself – and for having had access to impartial/non-moralistic/safe medical attention.

i don’t want anyone to have to go through what i did. but i want all women to have the freedom to make their own choices about anything that affects their bodies.