i was 15 when my boyfriend and i became pregnant. i didn’t even have a driver’s license, how was i going to take care of a child? i knew that an abortion was the only choice for me, and fortunately my parents were supportive. i had a surgical abortion at planned parenthood, and after the procedure i had trouble getting over it. finally, when i was 20 i was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder (which i’ve had since birth), post traumatic stress disorder (from the abortion), and depression. once i got the diagnosis i began seeing a therapist and taking an antidepressant. since then, my life has changed completely. i was empowered when i realized that most women did not suffer from the reaction that i did, and i knew that if other women could move on, then i could too even if it took a little more effort. even though i suffered from ptsd for years, i still do not regret my decision. i know that at the age of 15, and with the anxiety that i had already suffered, keeping the child or choosing an adoption would have caused much more trauma to myself, my child, and everyone around me. i was also fortunate to be able to have a safe abortion, with no protesters around to make things worse.

this year my boyfriend and i are getting engaged and i am graduating from college and i have not suffered any symptoms of ptsd for over a year. i stand by my decision, and i stand by all of the women in the us who deserve the right to make their own decisions about their bodies. i hope for the future that more americans will stand up for our right to affordable contraception and the right to make our own decisions.