my friends supported me through the process and my health insurance paid the bill. i had paid time off from work, so taking time to attend my appointment and recover afterwards wasn’t a problem. i know my experience isn’t common for people in ohio. we’ve seen restriction after restriction making it harder for people to access abortion care when they need it.

"my abortion experience was a series of positive and negative emotions: courage and fear, support and isolation, comfort and embarrassment, all of which were important factors in my decision making process."

“i was 16, a junior in high school. my boyfriend was abusive. i couldn’t bring a child into that. i had a bright future, so many goals and aspirations. i promised myself whenever i brought a child in this world, i would give him or her the best life possible. i made the best decision for that child and for myself."

"i am dedicated to talking publicly about my abortions as a way to fight the stigma that hurts so many people and creates barriers to care. i understand that my silence only nourishes the people who call us killers."

"faced with a choice, i chose my education. i chose a future as a college graduate instead of one as a single mom. scheduling my abortion felt like the first, real, adult decision i made for myself. it felt like taking control of my life, and committing to what i wanted for myself."

after my abortion, and after much time, there was a moment of relief and peace. i came to terms that i made the right decision. that moment of my shame being lifted off me was so liberating.